HON.  WILLIAM  SPRAGUE, 

Rhode  Island' s  War  Governor. 

After  dispatching  the  First  Rhode  Island  Detached  Militia  and  battery  to  the  seat  of  war 
Governor  Sprague,  on  his  own  responsibility,  began  immediately  to  raise  and  organize  Battery  A 
and  the  Second  Rhode  Island  Infantry  before  President  Lincoln's  second  call  was  made.  When 
the  second  call  for  troops  came  the  governor  quickly  responded,  and  started  immediately  with 
the  battery  and  regiment  for  Washington,  and  remained  with  them  and  participated  in  the  battle 
of  Bull  Run  where  he  rendered  conspicuous  and  gallant  service  and  where  his  horse  was  killed 
under  him.  Besides  being  Governor  of  the  State  at  that  time  he  was  also  Colonel  of  the  Marine 
Corps  of  Artillery.  He  is  the  only  Civil  War  Governor  now  living. 


THE 

HISTORY  OF  BATTERY  A 


FIRST  REGIMENT  RHODE  ISLAND 
LIGHT  ARTILLERY 


IN  THE  WAR  TO  PRESERVE  THE  UNION 
1861-186? 


By  THOMAS  M.  ALDRICH 


ILLUSTRATED   BY  PORTRAITS 


PROVIDENCE 

SNOW  &   FARNHAM,    PRINTERS 
1904 


Copyright  1904 

BY  THOMAS  M.  ALDRICH 

All  Rights  Reserved 


PREFACE 


COMRADES  OF  BATTERY  A:  It  affords  me  great 
pleasure  to  present  to  you  a  record  of  the 
service  of  our  battery  during  the  period  we 
were  battling  for  the  sacred  cause  of  the  Union. 
Of  all  the  light  batteries  Rhode  Island  sent  to  the 
field,  none  ever  excelled  the  Second,  or  Battery  A 
in  efficiency,  endurance,  or  the  intelligence  of  its 
men.  It  was  well  said  by  an  officer  of  the  Second 
Army  Corps  that  ^  Battery  A  will  stay  and  fight 
without  officers."  It  is  not  an  easy  task  to  thus 
record  our  services,  and,  without  doubt,  there  will 
be  many  who  will  not  agree  with  me  in  all  the 
statements  I  have  made.  But  we  must  remember 
there  are  no  two  persons  who  see  alike.  1  have 
tried  by  the  aid  of  my  diary  kept  throughout  the 
whole  period  of  my  army  service,  and  through  other 
sources  to  give  an  accurate  account  of  everything 
of  interest  that  occurred  in  relation  to  our  battery, 
and  I  hope  that  my  efforts  will  assist  my  com 
rades  Avho  read  it,  to  bring  vividly  to  their  minds 
the  scenes  and  incidents  which  transpired  long  ago, 


M181359 


IV  PREFACE 

and  of  which  perchance  they  may  have  forgotten 
in  the  years  that  have  intervened  since  that  rnemor- 
ahle  struggle. 

To  the  following  individuals  who  have  kindly 
assisted  me  in  my  labors  I  am  greatly  indebted : 
Capt.  Charles  C.  Gray.  Lieut.  Henry  W.  Newton, 
Sergt.  Stephen  M.  Greene,  Henry  F.  Hicks,  and  John 
G.  McKay. 

To  Mr.  William  E.  Foster  of  the  Providence  Public 
Library,  and  his  assistants;  also  to  Mr.  Harry  L. 
Koopman,  Librarian  of  Brown  University,  and  Mr. 
Henry  R.  Davis,  of  the  Providence  Journal,  I 
desire  to  acknowledge  my  grateful  appreciation  for 
many  kindly  and  courteous  services  rendered. 

If  I  shall  have  interested  my  comrades  and  the 
general  public  in  this  portrayal  of  the  events  con 
nected  with  our  battery,  I  shall  feel  repaid  for  the 
many  long  and  laborious  hours  spent  in  preparing 
this  work  for  publication. 

THOMAS  M.  ALDKICII. 


THOMAS   M.  ALDRICH. 
The  author  of  this  work,  as  he  appeared  June   19,   1903. 


NOTE.— During  his  three  years'  service  he  was  instrumental  in  saving  three 
guns,  namely,  the  Bull  Run  gun,  July  21, 1861,  which  was  the  only  gun  saved  at  that 
battle ;  also  one  at  Bristow  Station,  Oct.  14, 1863,  and  one  at  Po  River,  May  10, 1864. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER   I. 

PAGE. 
Organization  of  the  Battery —  Departure  for  Washington 

—  Camp  Clark  .....  1 

CHAPTER  ir. 

March  to  Bull  Run  and  the  Battle     .  .  14 

CHAPTER   III. 

Back  at  Washington  —  Sandy  Hook  —  Point  of  Rocks  — 
Darnestown  —  Edwards  Ferry  —  Muddy  Branch  - 
Poolesville  ....  :}•> 

CHAPTER   IV. 

From  Harper's  Ferry  to  Fair  Oaks  .  55 

CHAPTER   V. 

From  Fair  Oaks  to  Harrison's  Landing      .  81 

CHAPTER   VI. 

From  Harrison's  Landing  to  Antietam       .  119 

CHAPTER   Vir. 

The  Battle  of  Antietam     .  .> 


Yi  CONTENTS 

Page. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Antietam  to  the  Rappahannock 

CHAPTER  IX. 

The  Battle  of  Fredericksburg 

CHAPTER  X. 
Chancellorsville         .  •       174 

CHAPTER  XI. 
Back  at  Falmouth     .  .179 

CHAPTER  XII. 
From  Falmouth  to  Gettysburg 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
The  Battle  of  Gettysburg 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
Gettysburg  to  the  Rappahannock      . 

CHAPTER  XV. 

944 
Bristoe  Station 

CHAPTER  XVI: 

'261 
Mine  Run 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

Winter  Quarters  at  Mountain  Run    .  .       '271 


CONTENTS  yii 

Page . 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Wilderness  Campaign       .....  ^87 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Spottsylvania    .  ...  316 

CHAPTER  XX. 

North  Anna  and  the  Totopotomoy 338 

CHAPTER  XXI. 
Cold  Harbor     ......  351 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

Return  Home  of  the  Veterans  .          .          .  304 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Reorganization  of  the    Battery  and   its   Subsequent   Con 
solidation  with  Battery  B. 371 

AlM'KN'DIX  .  389 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

Hon.  William  Sprague  (War  Governor)  Frontispiece- 

Thomas  M.  Aldrich   (Author),  as  lie  appeared  June 

19    }<)Q;>  .  .  .          Opposite  page  iv  of  Preface 

Lieut.-Col.  William  11.  Reynolds  .  Opposite  page     4 

Capt.  Thomas  F.  Vaughn 
Lieut.-Col.  John  Albert  Monroe 
Lieut.-Col.  John  A.  Tompkins   . 
Capt,  William  B.  Weeden 
Col.  George  E.  Randolph 
First  Lieut.  Henry  W.  Newton  . 
Capt.  Charles  I).  Owen    . 
Lieut.-Col.  T.  Frederick  Brown 
Major  Harry  C.   dishing 
Gen.  John  G.  Hazard 

Capt.  Jeffrey  Hazard 

Lieut.  Charles  II .  Clark  .  17° 

Capt.  William  A.  Arnold 

First  Lieut.  George  Wr.  Field      . 

Capt,  Flmer  L.  Corthell  . 

Capt.  Gamaliel  L.  Dwight 

First  Lieut.  Peter  Hunt 

Second  Lieut.  Benjamin  II.  Child 

First  Sergt,  William  D.  Child      . 

Second  Lieut.  James  P.  Rhodes 

Sergt.  Amos  M.  C.  Olney 

Sergt.  Stephen  M.  Greene 

Sergt.  Augustus  S.  Towle 

Corp.  James  B.  Huffum    . 

Henry  F.  Hicks     . 

John  F.  Leach       . 

Edward  Shaw 

William  C.  Dor.:  . 

Thomas  M.  Aldrich  (as  he  appeared  June  10,  1861)    . 

Courtney  House    ,  •     Opposite  page  82 

Scene  of  Pickets  Charge 


CHAPTER  I 

ORGANIZATION    OF    THE    BATTERY — DEPARTURE    FOR    WASH 
INGTON — CAMP  CLARK. 

WHEN  President  Lincoln  issued  his  first  call  for 
troops  to  defend  and  preserve  the  Union,  Rhode 
Island  nobly  responded  to  the  call  by  immedi 
ately  organizing  and  sending  forward  to  the  capital  of  the 
nation  a  full  regiment  of  infantry  and  a  complete  battery 
for  three  months'  service.  But  it  soon  became  apparent 
that  a  larger  force  would  be  needed  to  crush  the  Rebellion, 
and  for  a  longer  term  than  three  months'  service.  Accord 
ingly,  when  the  president  issued  his  second  call  and  the 
First  Regiment  and  the  First  Battery  had  hardly  left 
the  State,  Governor  William  Sprague  began  immediately 
to  organize  another  regiment  (the  Second  Rhode  Island 
Infantry),  and  a  battery  for  three  years7  service,  and, 
within  a  few  days  there  were  four  hundred  men  desirous  to 
join  what  was  then  called  the  Second  Rhode  Island  Bat 
tery,  but  afterwards  known  as  Battery  A,  First  Rhode 
Island  Light  Artillery. 

The  old  Marine  Artillery  Armory  on  Benefit  Street  was 
the  rendezvous  of  men  from  early  morn  till  late  at  night, 
all  eager  to  acquire  the  knowledge  of  military  tactics  as 
speedily  as  possible.  Lieut.  John  Albert  Monroe  and  First 
Sergt.  Henry  Newton  were  untiring  in  their  exertions 
to  complete  the  efficiency  of  the  battery.  At  last  the  requi 
site  number  of  men  the  batter}'  required  was  selected  by 
Surg.  William  V.  Wallace,  and,  on  the  sixth  day  of  June, 
1861,  at  five  P.  MV  the  battery  under  command  of  Capt.  Wil 
liam  H.  Reynolds,  was  mustered  into  the  service  of  the 
United  States  for  three  years  unless  sooner  discharged, 


2  BATTElVi    A,    FIRST    E.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY    [June, 

The  following  is  the  original  roll  of  officers  and  men : 
CAPTAIN   WILLIAM   H.   REYNOLDS. 

Lieutenants. 

IST  LIEUT.  THOMAS  F.  VAUGHN,       2o  LIEUT.  JOHN  A.  TOMPKINS, 
IST  LIEUT.  J.  ALBERT  MONROE,  2D  LIEUT.  WILLIAM  B.  WEEDEN. 

Sergeants. 

SGT.  MAJOR  GEORGE  E.  RANDOLPH,        SD  SERGT.  WILLIAM  H.  WALCOTT, 
Q.  M.  SERGT.  ALBERT  E.  ADAMS,         4iH  SERGT.  G.  HOLMES  WILCOX, 
IST  SERGT.  HENRY  NEWTON,  STH  SERGT.  CHARLES  D.  OWEN, 

2o  SERGT.  JOHN  H.  HAMMOND,  GTH  SERGT.  FRANCIS  A.  SMITH. 

Corporals. 

CHARLES   M.   REED,  CHARLES  H.  CLARK, 

NATHAN  T.  MORSE,  GAMALIEL  L.  DWIGHT, 

WILLIAM  A.  SABIN,  T.  FREDERICK  BROWN, 

H.  VINCENT  BUTLER,  ALBERT  F.  REMINGTON, 

JAMES  B.  BUFFUM,  HARRY  C.  GUSHING, 

GEORGE  W.  FIELD,  SEABURY  S.  BURROUGH. 

Artificers. 

JOSEPH  C.  DICKERSON,  DEXTER  D.  PEARCE, 

ALEXANDER  K.  PAGE,  MICHAEL  GRADYV 

ALBERT  HAWKINS,  DANIEL  W.  MARSHALL. 

Farriers. 
GEORGE  A.  STETSON,  JAMES  P.  RHODES. 

Bugler. 

NELSON  H.  ARNOLD. 
Privates. 

Aldrich,    Thomas  M.  Byars,  Joseph 

Aldrich,   Stephen  W.  Calder,   Wesley  B. 

Allen,  George  W.  D.  Cargill,   Charles 

Adams,   George  A.  Carter,  Frank 

Barker,   William  C.  Chaffee,   George   W. 

Bennett,  Henry  H.  Chaffee,   Charles   E. 

Benedict,  Frederick  H.  Chester,  George  N. 

Bourne,  William  E.  Child,  Benjamin  H. 

Boutems,  Charles  E.  Church,  John 

Brown,  Joshua  Church,  William  C.  M. 

Brown,  Clovis  G.  Collins,  James  H. 

Brooks,  Joseph  E.  Collins,  Timothy 

Butler,  Freeman  Corthell,  Elmer  L. 

Bup,    Frederick  Codding,   Charles  D. 

Byrne,  George  Cooper,  James 


1861.] 


MUSTER    ROLL 


Crandall,  Henry  B. 
Curtis,  Horace  M. 
Day,  Henry  F. 
Desmond,  Michael 
Donegan,    Patrick 
Drape,  William 
Fletdher,  Calvin 
Flood,  Thomas 
Franklin,   George  A. 
Freeman,   Edward  R. 
Gardner,   James 
Gladding,  Olney  D. 
Graham,  Henry,  Jr. 
Greene,   Stephen  M. 
Greenleaf,  George  J. 
Greenhalgh,  William  J. 
Griffin,   John 
Griffin,   John,  2d 
Griswold,  George  S. 
Goldsmith,  James  H. 
Googins,  Eugene 
Harrison,  Gilbert  F. 
Haynes,   William 
Hicks,  Henry  F. 
Hines,  Joseph  E. 
Hoit,  Joseph  S. 
Humphreys,  Preston  A. 
Irons,   Lewis   W. 
Jenckes,  Albert  J. 
Jollie,  Thomas 
Lake,   Charles   W. 
Lannegan,  Patrick 
Laughlin,  Robert 
Lawrence,  John  H. 
Lewis,    James 
Luther,  Hezekiah  W. 
Luther,  Levi 
Lyndsay,  Benjamin  F. 
Lynott,  John 
Maines,   Alexander 
Marcy,  Albourne  W. 
Martin,    Benjamin   F. 
McKay,    John    W. 
McCarrack,  John  O. 
McDonough,   John 
Messinger,  Eli 
Messinger,   George 


Moran,  John 
Morrison,    William 
Mbwry,   Charles  H. 
Munroe,  Benjamin  S. 
Navin,  John 
Olney,  Amos  M.  C. 
Peck,  William  F. 
Percival,   Richard 
Phillips,    Frederick   A. 
Pierce,   Willard  B. 
Potter,  Edwin 
Pratt,    Henry    L. 
Raynor,  Robert 
Reichardt,  Adolphus  H.  D. 
Reichardt,  Theodore 
Remington,  Richard  T. 
Rider,  William  H. 
Rowbottom,  Robert, 
Sayles,  Thomas  W. 
Scott,   Charles  V. 
Seddon,    John 
Sedlinger,    Simon   M. 
Shaw,    Edward 
Shepardson,  George  A. 
Shippee,  Benjamin 
Slocum,  George  L. 
Stanley,  Milton 
Stewart,  Henry  H. 
Swain,  Reuben  C. 
Taylor,  William  H. 
Thompson,  John  B. 
Thornley,  Richard 
Towle,    Augustus    S 
Vose,  Warren  L. 
Wales,  Joseph  W- 
Walker,  Arnold  A. 
Walker,    Stephen 
Walsh,  John 
Warden,   Samuel  P. 
Warden,  Wendall, 
Weeden,  Amos  C. 
Wellman,  George  A. 
Whalen,  John 
Wickes,  Edwin  E. 
Wilcox,    Henry    B. 
Wild,  John 
Zirnala,  Jolhn 


4  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [June, 

In  a  few  days,  together  with  the  Second  Rhode  Island  Regi 
ment,  we  went  into  camp  on  Dexter  Training  Ground.  We 
were  then  full-fledged  soldiers  in  Uncle  Sam's  service. 
Tents  were  pitched  and  the  people  of  our  little  State  came 
to  enjoy  the  unusual  spectacle  of  field  drills,  reveilles,  dress 
parades,  firing  of  artillery  at  sunrise  and  sunset,  of  tattoo 
and  taps.  The  sight  attracted  throngs  of  men,  women,  and 
children  day  after  day. 

While  in  camp  mounted  drills  wore  away  the  weary  hours 
of  inaction.  About  every  man  in  the  battery  seemed  eager 
to  get  away  to  the  front,  as  the  life  on  Dexter  Training 
Ground  did  not  appear  to  be  congenial  to  them.  We  had 
been  there  but  a  few  davs  before  all  our  battery  guns  were 

f  ft/        O 

exchanged  for  new  ones,  which  were  of  brass  with  James's 
rifle  bore,  said  to  be  the  first  rifle  cannon  ever  used  in  war 
in  any  country.  This  change  was  hailed  as  a  sign  of  our 
early  departure  for  the  front. 

On  Tuesday,  June  18,  1861,  we  received  our  ammunition 
for  the  guns,  and  filled  our  ammunition  chests,  and  prep 
arations  were  made  for  breaking  camp. 

On  Wednesday,  June  19th,  our  battery  in  company  with 
the  Second  Rhode  Island  Infantry,  broke  camp  on  the  Dex 
ter  Training  Ground,  and  marched  down  High  Street  to 
Westminster  Street,  across  Market  Square  to  South  Main 
Street,  and  thence  to  Fox  Point  where  the  steamers  lay  in 
waiting  to  take  us  to  New  York.  Our  battery  went  on 
board  the  old  ferry-boat  K ill  Von  Kull.  The  Second  Rhode 
Island  Regiment  boarded  the  steamer  Empire  State,  and, 
about  sunset,  we  left  our  friends  and  dear  ones,  some  never 
to  meet  again. 

The  scenes  at  the  docks  can  never  be  forgotten  by  any 
who  beheld  them  or  who  were  participants  therein.  It  was 
one  living,  surging  mass  of  humanity,  everyone  trying  to  get 
a  look  at  those  who  were  about  to  leave  them  for  three 
years,  and  perhaps  forever. 


LIEUT.-COL.  WILLIAM  H.  REYNOLDS. 

First  Lieutenant  First  Light  Battery  :  Captain  Battery  A  ;  Lieutenant-Colonel 
First  Rhode  Island  Light  Artillery. 


1861.]  EN    ROUTE    TO    WASHINGTON  5 

It  was  about  sunset  before  the  boats  swung  into  the 
stream  and  started  amid  the  booming  of  cannon  and  the 
farewell  cheers  of  the  multitude.  As  we  left  our  loved 
ones  on  the  dock  a  different  expression  could  easily  be  seen 
on  the  faces  of  all  on  board,  and  sadness  was  felt  for  the 
first  time  when  we  saw  strong-looking  men  (who  after 
wards  showed  themselves  both  brave  and  courageous), 
break  down  and  cry  like  children. 

These  were  the  scenes  that  caused  the  stoutest  heart  to 
beat  rapidly,  and,  for  the  first  time,  the  writer  thought  of 
what  he  was  about  to  undertake.  Governor  Sprague  and 
the  patriotic  Bishop  Clark  accompanied  the  Second  Regi 
ment  on  the  Empire  State.  As  we  approached  Fort  Adams 
we  were  saluted  by  the  artillery  there,  and,  upon  leaving 
Beaver  Tail  Light,  we  received  our  first  government  ration, 
consisting  of  pilot  bread  and  so-called  salt  junk  (salt 
meat),  and  a  cup  of  coffee.  Many  found  fault  with  the 
poor  quality  of  the  provisions,  but  those  who  grumbled  had 
something  yet  to  learn  of  army  fare. 

The  night  was  rather  rough  on  the  Sound  for  such  a 
boat  as  the  Kill  Von  Kull,  and  it  continued  so  until  after 
we  got  well  into  Long  Island  Sound  where  the  sea  could 
not  get  such  a  rake  at  us.  A  number  of  horses  were  thrown 
down  by  the  plunging  of  the  boat,  and  the  writer  Avas  some 
what  squeezed  between  them  in  trying. to  get  them  upon 
their  feet  again. 

We  arrived  at  Fort  Schuyler  about  daylight,  and  steamed 
up  through  Hell  Gate,  passing  Xew  York  City  and  reached 
Elizabethport  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning.  We  dis 
embarked  and  boarded  a  train  that  was  to  take  us  to  Wash 
ington  after  spending  a  good  part  of  the  day  in  making 
preparations.  From  people  all  along  the  line  at  New 
Brunswick,  Trenton,  Easton,  and  other  places  we  passed 
through,  we  were  received  with  cheers  and  expressions  of 
sympathy.  Refreshments  of  all  kinds,  such  as  strawber 
ries,  pies,  cakes,  and  fruit  were  handed  into  the  cars.  The 


6  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [June, 

weather  was  very  warm  and  traveling  so  slow  that  many 
times  we  would  get  off  and  walk  alongside  of  the  car. 
Stops  had  to  be  made  to  break  holes  through  the  car,  so 
that  our  horses  could  get  fresh  air,  as  they  were  almost 
suffocated.  We  crept  along  all  night,  which  was  very  try 
ing  to  the  men  in  the  cars  with  the  horses,  as  they  had  had 
no  chance  to  rest  after  such  a  tedious  night  on  the  Sound. 

Harrisburg,  Penn.,  was  reached  in  the  morning,  and  here 
also  we  received  a  grand  welcome  by  everyone,  as  well  as 
pies,  cakes,  coffee,  and  everything  the  people  had  to  offer. 
After  a  short  stop  we  continued  our  journey.  We  crossed 
the  Susquehanna  Kiver,  passed  Little  York,  and,  after  a 
hard  day's  journey,  arrived  at  Baltimore  about  eight 
o'clock  in  the  evening.  On  our  W7ay  there  we  saw  signs  of 
where  the  rebels  had  burned  bridges  or  had  attempted  to, 
and  this  proved  to  be  the  reason  of  our  slow  progress. 

The  Second  Khode  Island  Regiment  marched  through 
the  streets  of  this  city  from  one  depot  to  the  other,  their 
guns  loaded  \vith  ball  cartridges.  The  cars  containing  our 
guns  were  taken  through  the  streets  by  horses,  and  those 
containing  the  horses  with  three  or  four  men  in  each  car 
to  care  for  them,  were  drawn  about  half  way  and  left 
standing  without  any  kind  of  protection.  While  there,  a 
man  put  a  rebel  flag  through  the  door  of  our  car  and  told 
us  that  was  the  flag  we  would  have  to  live  under.  The 
regiment  Avas  under  strict  orders  not  to  take  anything  to 
eat  or  drink  while  in  Baltimore  as  they  were  afraid  of  poi 
son,  they  being  the  first  body  of  troops  to  pass  through  there 
after  the  Sixth  Massachusetts  had  been  attacked;  therefore 
they  had  to  be  very  cautious.  Our  battery  stayed  in  the 
streets  about  two  hours  without  protection  before  they 
took  us  down  to  the  depot,  and,  as  we  left  for  Washington, 
a  few  bricks  and  stones  wTere  thrown  after  us. 

The  first  thing  that  greeted  our  eyes  the  next  morning 
as  we  looked  from  the  car  door  was  the  Capitol  building 


1861.]  WASHINGTON  7 

itself,  the  dome  of  which  was  about  half  completed  at  that 
time.  Colonel  Burnside,  of  the  First  Rhode  Island  In 
fantry,  and  Captain  Tompkins,  of  the  First  Rhode  Island 
Battery,  had  made  arrangements  that  breakfast  should  be 
prepared  for  us,  consisting  of  roast  beef,  soft  bread, 
and  coffee.  After  unloading  our  battery  we  marched 
to  Camp  Sprague  and  pitched  our  tents  on  the  left  of 
the  First  Regiment  of  Rhode  Island  Infantry.  Our  camp 
was  christened  Camp  Clark,  in  honor  of  our  beloved 
(lately  deceased)  Bishop  Clark,  of  whom  all  Rhode  Island 
ers  are  justly  proud  as  he  wras  a  model  minister  and  a  true 
patriot. 

Our  first  Sunday  at  Camp  Clark  was  passed  very  quietly. 
Some  men  received  passes  and  went  to  the  city,  and,  in  the 
afternoon,  Bishop  Clark  preached  a  very  impressive  ser 
mon.  It  was  very  hot,  the  water  did  not  taste  good,  and, 
altogether,  it  had  a  depressing  effect  upon  us  after  our 
;hard  journey.  The  horses  seemed  to  stand  it  well,  al 
though  some  of  them  were  very  sore  and  others  appeared 
rather  listless.  The  day  closed  with  a  dress  parade,  Presi 
dent  Lincoln,  General  Scott,  and  a  number  of  officers  and 
dignitaries  being  present.  It  was  a  very  pleasant  sight 
for  the  men  to  see  the  President  and  General  Scott  for  the 
first  time,  and  to  know  that  they  were  serving  under  them 
in  defence  of  the  Union. 

On  the  24th  everything  was  hustle  and  bustle  preparing 
for  the  grand  review  by  President  Lincoln  and  General 
Scott.  We  marched  by  the  White  House  and  through  the 
principal  streets  of  Washington,  and  had  a  grand  day  of  it. 
The  Rhode  Island  troops  were  lionized  wherever  they  went, 
with  Governor  Sprague  at  their  head,  and  Colonels  Burn- 
side  and  Slocum  of  the  infantry,  and  Captains  Tompkins 
and  Reynolds  of  the  artillery.  It  surely  was  a  grand  sliOAV- 
ing  for  our  little  State  and  one  of  which  \ve  could  be  justly 
proud. 


BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [June, 

On  the  25tli  regular  camp  duty  and  camp  drill  kept  us 
busy.  The  water  began  to  have  a  debilitating  effect  on 
some  of  the  officers  and  men,  and  a  few  of  them  were  quite 
sick.  The  First  and  Second  regiments  and  batteries  had 
a  fine  dress  parade,  and,  as  usual,  many  officers,  senators, 
representatives,  and  some  foreign  officials  were  onlookers. 
We  continued  to  gain  in  reputation  and  were  called  by 
other  state  troops  "Sprague's  pets."  During  the  night 
there  was  considerable  excitement  on  the  guard  line. 
There  was  a  continual  call  for  the  corporal  of  the  guard. 
On  one  occasion  there  was  a  shot  fired  which  caused  about 
everyone  to  turn  out  double-quick.  Later  it  was  found 
that  the  guard  had  got  excited  and  shot  at  a  bush  that  was 
stirred  by  the  wind. 

On  the  26th  another  day  of  drill.  Mr.  Amasa  Sprague, 
brother  of  the  Governor,  was  around  {he  stables  all  day,  and 
seemed  to  be  the  jolliest  man  in  the  whole  camp,  and  ap 
peared  to  take  a  great  interest  in  our  horses. 

The  27th  was  another  day  of  drill  and  dress  parade.  It 
was  cloudy  with  a  little  rain,  but  not  enough  to  do  any 
good  or  cool  off  much. 

The  boys  became  accustomed  to  camp  life  and  better  ac 
quainted  with  each  other.  John  Navin,  who  had  been  a 
soldier  in  the  English  army,  related  to  us  many  interesting 
tales  of  his  soldier  life  in  India,  of  the  siege  of  Lucknow, 
and  of  many  battles  of  which  he  had  been  a  participant. 
Another  comrade,  John  Griffin,  entertained  us  with  many 
queer  sayings  in  relation  to  his  soldier  life,  and  his  descrip 
tion  of  his  daily  fare  in  camp  was  very  amusing.  Some 
of  the  men  who  were  not  sworn  in  before  leaving  Provi 
dence,  went  to  Washington  and  were  mustered  in  by  a  reg 
ular  army  officer. 

On  the  28th  a  shower  which  had  fallen  during  the  night 
did  not,  however,  prevent  us  from  having  our  usual  amount 
of  drill  on  the  field  and  at  the  manual  of  the  piece,  followed 


1861.]  WASHINGTON  9 

by  the  regular  dress  parade.  Fish  was  served  that  day 
which  was  quite  a  change  and  a  treat  to  those  who  liked  it, 
but,  as  usual,  there  was  more  or  less  grumbling.  Presi 
dent  Lincoln,  his  wife  and  General  Scott  came  out  to  see 
us  again.  The  general  made  a  striking  appearance  in  full 
uniform.  He  was  a  very  large  man  and  filled  a  whole  seat 
in  an  open  barouche.  There  Avas  the  regular  routine  of 
camp  life;  some  playing  cards,  others  looking  around  for 
some  souvenir  to  send  home.  We  found  a  log  of  petrified 
wood  in  a  stream  back  of  the  camp ;  it  was  an  old  oak  tree 
and  had  turned  to  a  perfect  stone. 

On  the  29th  we  had  another  refreshing  shower,  enough 
so  that  the  clay  began  to  stick  to  our  feet.  It  was  a  great 
change  from  our  soil  at  home.  We  had  the  usual  amount 
of  drill  and  some  of  the  horses  were  quite  sick.  The  offi 
cers  and  men  of  the  regiments  and  batteries  were  greatly 
debilitated  from  the  water  they  had  been  drinking. 

The  30th  passed  very  quietly  and  camp  life  had  become 
so  irksome  that  the  men  hardly  knew  what  to  do  with  them 
selves.  We  derived  most  pleasure  in  camp  that  day  around 
the  stables  where  Amasa  Sprague  had  been  matching  up 
horses  and  talking  with  the  men.  We  had  a  fine  dress 
parade  and  the  president  and  his  family  with  the  usual 
lot  of  attendants  were  present.  The  services  were  held  by 
Chaplains  Thorndike  C.  Jameson,  of  the  Second  Rhode  Is 
land  Infantry,  and  Augustus  Woodbury,  of  the  First  Rhode 
Island  Infantry.  There  were  also  Catholic  services  ob 
served  in  a  nearby  church  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Quinn,  also 
of  the  First,  who  was  associated  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  WTood- 
bury.  Congressmen,  cabinet  officers,  and  men  of  all  ranks 
and  stations,  considered  it  a  great  privilege  to  attend  and 
view  the  dress  parades  and  evening  services  of  the  Rhode 
Island  regiments  and  batteries.  While  the  services  were 
being  held  the  stillness  that  pervaded  the  throng  of  spec 
tators  and  soldiers  was  very  noticeable. 


10  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [Juljr 

On  the  1st  of  July  we  all  expected  something  new,  but 
the  same  daily  routine  of  camp  life  followed :  morning  and 
afternoon  drills,  dress  parades,  and  evening  services.  Prep 
arations  were  also  made  for  the  proper  observance  of  the 
-4th.  Every  one  anticipated  a  good  time.  A  number  of  us 
received  passes  and  went  to  the  city  and  visite'd  almost  all 
the  public  buildings,  including  the  White  House.  We  met 
an  old  sailor  who  was  boatswain's  mate  on  a  little  gunboat 
called  the  Stepping  Stones.  He  was  very  friendly  and  gave 
us  some  good  advice  as  new  beginners  in  Uncle  Sam's  ser 
vice.  He  told  us  about  the  shelling  of  a  Confederate  work 
down  by  the  Potomac  River  called  Cockpit  Point. 

On  the  2d  the  weather  was  very  hot  and  sultry,  and  about 
the  same  routine  of  drill  and  preparations  for  the  4th.  It 
was  reported  that  we  were  to  have  a  cargo  of  ice  and  clams 
for  a  big  bake  at  that  time,  and  all  our  men  looked  forward 
to  the  celebration  with  delightful  anticipations. 

On  the  3d  the  weather  was  extreme!}7  hot,  and  we  tried 
all  sorts  of  expedients  to  keep  cool.  After  drill  it  was  a 
sight  to  see  the  different  kinds  of  hats  and  dress  that  were 
displayed  through  the  camps.  In  the  majority  of  cases  it 
might  be  called  undress.  The  signs  and  decorations  on 
some  of  the  quarters  were  very  unique,  being  embellished 
with  flowers  and  cambric  of  patriotic  colors,  and  some  of 
the  tent  floors  Avere  neatly  carpeted. 

The  4th  was  a  day  never  to  be  forgotten  by  any  who  were 
present  on  that  occasion.  After  the  regular  morning  work 
the  First  and  Second  Regiments  were  reviewed  by  Governor 
Sprague.  After  that  both  regiments  assembled  in  the  grove 
at  Camp  Clark.  Major  Ballon  was  president  of  the  day. 
Prayer  was  offered  by  the  Rev.  Thorndike  C.  Jameson,  the 
chaplain  of  the  Second  Regiment;  the  Declaration  of  Inde 
pendence  was  read  by  Chaplain  Woodbury  of  the  First 
Regiment,  and  a  very  eloquent  address  delivered  by  the  Rev. 
Father  Quinn,  assistant  chaplain  of  the  regiment.  A  very 


1861.]  WASHINGTON  11 

pertinent  and  patriotic  poem  was  read  by  Captain  Dyer, 
and  Professor  Sweet  gave  a  fine  exhibition  of  rope  walking. 
We  had  an  excellent  dinner  of  roast  pig  and  all  the  fixings 
to  go  with  it. 

The  5th  was  like  a  blue  Monday  with  some  of  the  boys, 
the  fine  dinner  and  refreshments  having  been  too  much  for 
them,  and  they  showed  it,  but  nevertheless  the  drills  were 
kept  up  just  the  same. 

On  the  6th  it  was  the  same  old  story,  drill  and  dress  pa 
rade,  and  the  cooks  were  kept  busy  supplying  both  regi 
ments  with  rations.  It  was  quite  a. sight  to  see  the  quan 
tity  of  food  they  handled  morning,  noon,  and  night;  from 
eight  to  ten  barrels  of  flour  and  about  fifteen  hundred 
pounds  of  meat  and  two  hundred  large  pans  of  gingerbread 
each  day.  On  bean  day  it  took  about  one  barrel  of  pork 
and  three  barrels  of  beans.,  and  on  boiled  dinner  day  it  took 
one  barrel  of  pork,  three  barrels  of  beef,  and  from  three  to 
five  hundred  heads  of  cabbage.  The  men  who  had  money 
had  all  the  strawberries,  cherries  and  fruits  in  season,  but 
the  prices  for  them  were  high.  Also  plenty  of  milk  came 
into  the  camp,  the  price  being  twenty  cents  per  quart. 

The  7th  was  a  very  quiet  da}*.  After  the  excitement 
during  the  week  we  had  our  services  the  same  as  usual  and 
the  boys  were  inclined  to  wander  about.  The  writer  would 
have  preferred  to  have  more  liberty  in  camp,  but  as  he  was 
detailed  as  veterinary  assistant  he  had  to  stay  around  the 
horses  about  all  the  time.  The  horses  were  in  excellent 
condition,  and  seemed  to  stand  this  new  and  novel  experi 
ence  as  well  if  not  better  than  the  men. 

On  the  8th  it  was  the  same  old  story,  the  drill,  etc.  At 
six  o'clock  or  half  past  Ave  had  breakfast  call,  with  peas  on 
a  trencher;  at  eight  o'clock  guard  mount,  and,  about  one 
o'clock,  roast  beef  call  was  sounded  for  dinner;  dress  parade 
in  the  afternoon  and  then  supper.  At  9  o'clock  tattoo,  and 
at  9.30  taps,  when  everyone  in  camp  must  be  quiet,  and, 


12  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    II.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [July, 

as  a  rule,  everyone  was  willing  to  comply  with  this  reason 
able  regulation,  as  the  hot  weather  and  drill  had  a  fatig 
uing  effect  upon  the  men. 

The  9th  was  a  very  sorrowful  day,  for  on  that  morning 
at  field  drill  while  going  at  a  rapid  gait,  a  limber  chest  in 
Lieutenant  Vaughn's  section,  filled  with  shell  and  car 
tridges,  exploded.  Gunner  Morse  and  Privates  Bourne  and 
Freeman  were  mounted  upon  it,  and  Bourne  was  killed 
outright.  Morse  lived  about  an  hour,  while  Freeman  was 
considered  mortally  wounded.  Richard  Thornier,  the 
wheel-driver  was  also  •  wounded  and  his  horses  were  very 
badly  burned.  The  swing-driver  was  also  burned  and 
bruised.  How  it  happened  or  why  there  were  not  more 
killed  or  injured  is  something  that  cannot  be  explained; 
but  it  caused  a  great  gloom  in  the  camp.  The  remains  of 
Morse  and  Bourne  were  carried  to  the  depot  by  members  of 
the  battery  and  sent  home  to  Rhode  Island  for  burial. 

On  the  10th  the  gloom  occasioned  by  the  sad  accident  of 
the  previous  day  still  hovered  over  us.  For  a  new  excite 
ment  we  were  ordered  to  advance  on  the  enemy  across  Long 
Bridge  into  Virginia  and  the  men  were  well  pleased  to  re 
ceive  marching  orders. 

On  the  llth  everybody  was  astir  early,  and  polishing  and 
furbishing  of  guns  and  equipments  was  going  on  in  prepara 
tion  for  a  grand  review  before  President  Lincoln,  and  Gen 
erals  Scott  and  Fremont.  When  the  distinguished  party 
made  their  appearance  salutes  were  fired  and  they  were  re 
ceived  with  due  honors,,  and  the  review  took  place.  It  was 
an  imposing  spectacle.  It  was  reported  that  we  were  to  be 
brigaded  with  the  First  and  Second  Rhode  Island,  Second 
New  Hampshire,  and  Seventy-first  New  York,  and  to  com 
prise  the  Second  Brigade  of  the  Second  Division,  com 
manded  by  Colonel  David  Hunter  of  the  regular  army,  with 
Col.  Ambrose  E.  Burnside  commanding  the  Second  Brigade. 


1861.]  WASHINGTON  13 

All  hands  were  speculating  when  we  Avould  start  across  the 
river  to  annihilate  the  enemy. 

On  the  12th  we  had  our  regular  every  day  drill.  The 
men  who  had  become  debilitated  by  the  use  of  the  bad  water 
and  the  change  of  climate  were  improving,  and  the  excite 
ment  of  marching  orders  appeared  to  have  braced  them  up. 

On  the  13th  after  a  very  foggy  morning  and  the  regular 
drill  of  the  day,  everyone  like  inquisitive  Yankees  that  we 
were,  seemed  to  be  endeavoring  to  find  out  about  the  ad 
vance  movement.  You  would  have  thought  to  have  heard 
them  talk  that  Griffin  and  Navin  knew  more  about  it  than 
any  of  the  generals ;  that  is,  to  any  of  those  who  were  gulli 
ble  enough  to  listen  to  them.  They  were  a  very  slick  pair  of 
jokers,  and  Xavin  in  particular,  for  he  with  his  ready  Irish 
wit,  made  some  of  the  credulous  ones  believe  about  all  of 
his  impossible  stories.  Some  da}*s  he  had  the  Confederates 
coming  across  Long  Bridge  and  the  next  day  he  had  them 
laying  down  their  arms ;  there  was  something  new  on  the 
tapis  every  day.  At  any  rate  he  and  Griffin  were  jolly  fel 
lows.  We  thought  at  the  time  that  it  Avould  be  a  good  thing 
if  Ave  had  a  full  company  of  them,  as  they  with  their  enter 
taining  tales  relieved  the  monotony  of  camp  life. 

The  14th  was  a  foggy  morning.  Although  on  such  a 
morning  the  Newport  fog  is  dense,  yet  it  could  not  be  com 
pared  to  Washington.  With  a  fine  breakfast  of  good  old 
beans  and  pork,  guard  mount,  and  the  regular  Sunday  ser 
vices  the  day  was  very  quiet.  The  men  seemed  to  be  en 
deavoring  to  see  if  they  could  outdo  each  other  in  telling 
yarns  and  striving  to  emulate  Navin  and  Griffin,  but  their 
efforts  in  that  direction  were  in  vain. 

On  the  15th  there  was  excitement  in  camp.  Our  ammuni 
tion  boxes  were  packed  and  we  received  canteens  and  hav 
ersacks.  Everything  was  hustle  and  bustle  and  that  night 
the  camp  was  enlivened  with  the  jokes  and  quips  which 
were  passed  from  one  to  another  at  the  bright  prospect  of 
an  early  movement. 


14  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY    [July, 

CHAPTER  II 

MARCH  TO  BULL  KUN  AND  THE  BATTLE. 

ON  the  16th  we  filled  our  new  canteens  with  water,  and 
took  our  first  rations  in  our  new  haversacks,  with 
blankets  and  everything  that  goes  to  make  up  a  sol 
dier's  outfit.  Some  of  the  men  took  a  lot  of  stuff  that 
proved  to  be  burdensome  to  carry.  We  marched  through 
Washington,  crossed  Long  Bridge,  and,  for  the  first  time, 
found  ourselves  on  the  soil  of  old  Virginia.  It  was  reported 
that  our  army  consisted  of  thirty-five  thousand  men,  fifty- 
five  pieces  of  artillery,  one  thirty-pounder,  two  twenty- 
pounders,  two  small  howitzers  drawn  by  hand,  forty-four 
six-pounders  and  our  battery  of  six  ten-pound  rifle  guns  of 
the  James's  pattern.  These  forces  marched  from  Washing 
ton  in  three  columns,  one  by  way  of  Alexandria  upon  the 
railroad  to  Manassas  and  along  the  country  road  and  paral 
lel  to  the  railroad,  under  Colonel  Heintzelman;  another  un 
der  Brigadier-General  Tyler  on  the  railroad  leading  to  Lees- 
burg  as  far  as  Vienna,  and  the  road  nearly  parallel  to  Falls 
Church.  The  centre  column  under  Colonel  Hunter,  to 
whose  command  our  brigade  was  attached,  left  Long  Bridge 
and  took  the  road  leading  to  Little  River  Turnpike,  which 
was  the  direct  road  to  Fairfax  Court  House.  We  inarched 
that  day  from  seven  to  eight  miles  and  camped  at  night  at 
Annandale,  and  were  formed  in  line  of  battle  for  the  first 
time  in  reality.  It  was  a  beautiful  starlight  night,  and, 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  long  faces,  everybody  seemed 
cheerful.  Our  brigade  under  Colonel  Burnside  was  com 
posed  of  the  Second  Rhode  Island,  First  Rhode  Island,  Sec 
ond  New  Hampshire  and  Seventy-first  New  York,  with  their 


1861.]  MARCH    TO    BULL    RUN  15 

two  howitzers,  and  the  Second  Rhode  Island  Battery  (A), 
William  H.  Reynolds,  captain.  It  was  a  grand  sight  to 
look  at  the  camp-fires  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach.  Our 
camp  was  in  a  rye-field.  It  was  an  inspiring  scene  to  see 
the  different  regiments  filing  into  camp  and  to  hear  the 
different  drum  corps  beating  tattoo,  the  artillery  and  cav 
alry  buglers  sounding  the  same  call. 

On  the  17th  at  sunrise  the  drum  corps  sounded  reveille 
and  everything  was  hurry  and  bustle.  We  partook  of  a 
hurried  breakfast  and  then  boots  and  saddles  call  was 
sounded  and  we  were  ready  for  the  fray,  which  we  expected 
at  any  moment  as  our  troops  were  face  to  face  with  the  ene 
my's  pickets,  and  it  was  reported  that  a  strong  force  w^ith 
artillery  well  entrenched  was  at  Fairfax  Court  House,  only 
a  few  miles  distant.  We  started  early,  our  brigade  in  ad 
vance,  by  Little  River  Turnpike,  direct  to  Fairfax  Court 
House.  Company  K,  Second  Rhode  Island,  with  a  troop  of 
cavalry  acted  as  scouts.  In  this  way  we  advanced  steadily 
until  we  began  to  find  trees  which  had  been  felled  by  the 
enemy  and  placed  across  the  road,  which  our  pioneers  cut 
away,  and  we  soon  came  to  one  upon  the  hillside  that  had 
been  cut  down  and  turned  completely  over  and  stood  bot 
tom  up  in  the  road,  but  which  we  marched  around  with  but 
little  trouble,  however.  We  presently  came  in  sight  of 
earthworks  across  the  road  but  the  enemy  had  fled  and  had 
left  their  breakfast  cooking  upon  the  fire.  Some  of  us  had 
a  taste  of  it;  it  proved  to  be  good  fresh  meat.  There  were 
eight  embrasures  for  the  guns  in  the  earthworks,  built  of 
sand  bags,  all  new  and  marked  "Confederate  States."  The 
writer  soon  had  two  of  them  which  he  thought  was  a  fine 
capture,  and  made  a  good  addition  to  his  saddle  blanket. 
We  reached  Fairfax  Court  House  about  noon.  The  Second 
Rhode  Island  \vas  the  first  to  enter  the  place.  The  rest  of 
our  troops  soon  arrived  and  immediately  began  pillaging, 
and  it  seemed  as  if  men  from  every  regiment  tried  to  see 


16  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [Jlllyr 

who  could  do  the  most  foolish  thing;  men  who  in  home  and 
camp  life  were  quiet  and  unassuming,  seemed  possessed 
with  the  desire  to  destroy  everything  that  came  within  their 
reach.  A  printing-office  was  ransacked  and  the  type  and 
everything  connected  with  the  establishment  was  destroyed. 
The  Second  Rhode  Island  captured  it  Confederate  flag  and 
the  Second  New  Hampshire  hoisted  the  Stars  and  Stripes 
on  the  Court  House.  There  were  a  few  arms  taken,  some 
mail  with  tent  and  camp  equipments,  and  a  few  negroes 
who  were  acting  as  servants  to  the  rebels.  The  talk  that 
night  was  to  the  effect  that  if  Tyler's  division  had  done  its 
duty  Ave  would  have  captured  the  whole  Confederate  force 
in  our  front.  Our  battery  was  parked  near  the  court 
house,  on  the  grounds  and  near  the  house  of  Mr.  Stephen- 
son,  an  English  gentleman,  with  a  large  and  interesting 
family,  who  appeared  to  do  their  utmost  to  promote  our 
comfort.  The  brigade  was  bivouacked  through  the  town, 
besides  doing  picket  duty  on  the  outskirts.  Governor 
Sprague,  Col.  John  A.  Gardner,  and  Joseph  Manton  were 
guests  of  the  First  Rhode  Island.  The  men  were  all  very 
much  excited  over  the  capture  of  Fairfax  and  everyone  en 
deavored  to  describe  what  he  saw  or  did  all  at  the  same 
time.  The  occupation  of  this  town  appeared  to  be  an  easy 
matter,  and  we  thought  if  we  met  with  no  more  opposition 
than  we  had  thus  far  encountered  the  life  of  a  soldier  must 
indeed  be  very  fine.  "On  to  Richmond !"  was  the  cry.  The 
horses  seemed  to  get  on  very  nicely.  Some  slight  kicking 
and  biting  on  the  picket  rope  was  all  the  disturbance  there 
was.  Our  teams  of  six  horses  attracted  great  attention 
from  all  the  troops.  Ben  Shippee  was  very  proud  of  his 
six  grays.  Taps  were  sounded  that  night  and  we  retired 
with  the  satisfaction  that  we  had  made  some  progress  into 
the  enemy's  country. 

On  the  18th  we  were  astir  early  and  began  the  advance 
by  daylight,  marching  about  two  miles  and  halting  at  a 


CAPT.  THOMAS  F.   VAUGHN. 

First    Sergeant    First    Light    lottery  ;   First    Lieutenant   Battery  A  ;  Captain 

Battery  B. 


1861.]  MARCH    TO    BULL    RUN  17 

place  called  Germantown,  where  we  remained  until  after 
three  o'clock.  General  Tyler's  division  had  taken  the  lead 
at  Fairfax.  We  could  hear  artillery  firing  at  the  front.  It 
was  reported  that  a  fight  was  going  on  at  Centreville.  It 
turned  out  to  be  Tyler's  troops  who  had  come  upon  the 
enemy  at  Blackburn's  Ford,  but  before  our  brigade  had 
reached  the  front  the  enemy  had  retired.  However,  we  pre 
pared  for  action;  equipments  were  distributed  to  our  can 
noneers,  sponge  buckets  were  filled,  and  every  man  was  at 
his  post.  It  was  about  four  o'clock  when  we  resumed  the 
marcli,  and,  within  about  two  miles  of  Centreville,  we  went 
into  camp.  Strong  picket  lines  were  thrown  out  and  every 
one  expected  there  would  be  a  fight  the  next  morning.  Our 
officers  and  men  appeared  to  be  in  the  best  of  spirits,  and, 
with  few  exceptions,  seemed  eager  for  the  fray.  It  was 
very  hot  and  everybody  seemed  to  be  willing  to  get  to  sleep 
as  soon  as  possible. 

On  the  19th  everyone  was  up  early  with  the  expectation 
of  an  early  start,  but  to  our  surprise  we  remained  in  camp 
all  day.  The  different  companies  and  commands  erected 
bush  sheds  to  protect  them  from  the  hot  sun,  and  christened 
it  Bush  Camp.  Our  battery  had  a  number  of  bush  houses. 
Through  the  First  and  Second  Regiments  could  be  heard 
inspiring  songs  and  the  scenes  enacted  were  of  so  lively  a 
character  that  it  appeared  to  be  a  simple  holiday  excursion. 
Our  camp  was  very  attractive.  That  night  we  could  see 
hundreds  of  camp-fires,  and  all  seemed  to  be  enjoying  them 
selves.  That  evening  after  dress  parade  the  service  was 
the  most  impressive  I  ever  witnessed.  It  was  conducted 
by  Chaplain  Woodbury.  After  the  Lord's  Prayer  and  the 
doxology,  Frank  Moulton  led  in  the  singing.  General 
McDowell  and  staff  were  present,  with  officers  and  men 
from  about  all  the  regiments  in  the  division. 

On  the  20tli  everyone  seemed  as  lively  as  on  the  previous 
night,  and  speculations  in  regard  to  the  day's  movements 

2 


18  BATTERY    A,    FIRST   R.    I.    LIGHT   ARTILLERY     [July, 

were  discussed  with  great  interest.  It  was  reported  late 
in  the  evening  that  after  a  council  of  war,  held  by  our  gen; 
erals,  it  wras  decided  to  remain  where  we  were  encamped 
until  the  morrow.  The  First  and  Second  Regiments  held 
their  regular  dress  parade  and  services,  with  a  larger  au 
dience  than  the  evening  before.  It  was  said  that  after 
General  McDowell  had  witnessed  the  parade  and  listened 
to  the  services,  he  walked  up  to  Colonel  Burnside  and  said : 
"Colonel,  I  shall  depend  upon  your  brigade  whenever  we 
meet  the  enemy.''  After  a  rather  exciting  day  and  lots  of 
fun  with  plenty  of  heat  thrown  in,  everyone  seemed  ready 
to  retire. 

Sunday,  the  21st,  was  a  day  never  to  be  forgotten 
by  any  who  were  participants  in  the  struggle  which  then 
took  place.  We  broke  camp  about  2.30  A.  M.  and  started 
on  our  march  on  the  Warrenton  Pike,  through  Centre- 
ville,  for  nearly  two  miles,  when  we  came  to  a  halt,  and 
remained  there  until  after  sunrise,  waiting  for  Tyler's 
division  to  cross  the  bridge  over  Cub  Run.  After  waiting 
a  long  while  we  began  the  march  again,  and,  as  soon  as  our 
column  crossed  the  bridge,  it  took  a  road  through  the 
woods  to  the  right  and  proceeded  until  about  a  quarter 
past  nine  before  we  reached  the  open  country.  Then  it 
was  an  inspiring  sight,  for,  as  far  as  the  eye  could  see, 
it  was  a  level  plain  with  wheat,  corn,  and  all  kinds  of  farm 
produce  which  is  raised  in  abundance  in  that  fertile  section 
of  country.  We  swung  to  the  left  and  continued  our  march 
for  a  half-hour  when  we  came  to  a  good  sized  stream  called 
Bull  Run,  and  crossed  it  at  Sudley's  Ford,  near  an  old 
building  called  Sudley's  Church.  Just  before  crossing  the 
ford  we  could  hear  Tyler's  guns  on  our  left,  which  were 
firing  to  attract  the  enemy's  attention  while  we  were  mak 
ing  a  flank  movement.  After  leaving  the  woody  section  we 
passed  some  very  fine  looking  farmhouses,  the  people  com 
ing  out  in  their  Sunday  apparel  to  look  at  us  and  to  ask 


1861.]  THE    BULL    RUN    BATTLE  19 

questions.  Some  of  the  ladies  were  very  indignant  at  the 
Yankees  for  invading,  as  the}*  said,  their  homes  and  fire 
sides.  When  we  arrived  at  the  ford  we  were  so  tired  and 
thirsty  that  we  took  the  opportunity  to  fill  our  canteens 
with  water.  In  two  minutes  the  stream  was  a  perfect  mud- 
puddle;  everybody  rushed  into  it  knee-deep  to  get  water, 
and  it  was  slow  work  and  quite  a  little  time  elapsed  before 
all  our  brigade  had  crossed  the  stream.  We  marched  about 
a  half  mile  on  the  edge  of  oak  woods  with  openings  on  the 
right,  two  companies  of  the  Second  Khode  Island  Regiment 
in  the  advance  as  skirmishers,  and  the  remainder  of  the 
regiment  following  closely  after.  We  halted  on  a  stony 
road  where  the  Second  Regiment  lay  down  to  rest.  Some 
of  the  men  of  our  battery  dismounted,  the  officers  remaining 
in  their  saddles,  when  all  of  a  sudden  a  cracking  of  guns 
and  a  singing  of  bullets  began.  Through  my  ignorance  of 
warfare  I  thought  it  was  fun,  and  I  said  to  Lieut.  William 
B.  Weeden,  who  was  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  gun  from 
me,  "They  are  driving  in  the  pickets,  lieutenant !"  In  re 
ply  he  said,  "I  am  afraid  they  are  hard  old  pickets.  Al- 
drich."  I  thought  his  voice  sounded  strange,  and  I  said  to 
him,  "You  are  not  afraid,  are  you?"  when  he  smiled  and 
said,  "Xo,  it  will  not  do  to  be  afraid,''  and,  drawing  his 
watch  from  his  pocket,  he  said :  "It  is  ten  minutes  past 
ten."  In  less  time  than  it  takes  one  to  write  this  the  com 
mand,  "Forward!"  was  given  to  the  Second  Regiment  by 
General  Burnside,  and  I  never  will  forget  the  scene  I  then 
witnessed-.  Every  man  seemed  to  move  at  once,  and  all 
threw  off  their  haversacks  and  blankets,  which  they  were 
wearing  across  their  shoulders,  and  away  they  went  on  a 
quick  run  over  the  hill.  They  had  no  more  than  started 
before  the  command,  "Forward  your  artillery !"  by  the  same 
voice,  and  in  an  instant  the  battery  was  smashing  through 
a  rail  fence  on  the  right,  the  rails  flying  as  the  guns  passed 
over  them.  It  was  a  startling  sight  as  the  battery  reached 


20  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.   I.    LIGHT   ARTILLERY      [July, 

the  hill  to  see  men  shooting  at  us  less  than  two  hundred 
yards  away.  How  they  ever  let  us  get  on  the  top  of  the  hill 
is  more  than  I  can  imagine.  At  our  left  was  the  farm 
house  of  Mathews,  and  sloping  down  from  his  house  was  a 
large  cornfield.  The  view  spread  before  us  was  very  pic 
turesque.  Here  the  Second  Regiment  and  the  Second  Bat 
tery  drove  the  enemy  back  down  the  slope.  Both  the  regi 
ment  and  battery  seemed  to  have  been  there  about  twenty 
minutes  or  more  before  any  relief  came,  when  at  last  the 
Seventy-first  New  York  appeared  with  their  two  little  hoAV- 
itzers  and  stood  there  in  supporting  distance.  General 
Hunter  was  wounded  and  his  horse  killed  about  this  time. 
He  then  placed  Colonel  Burnside  in  command  and  soon 
afterwards  left  the  field.  Burnside  immediately  ordered 
the  First  Rhode  Island  into  action,  and  they  went  in  with 
a  rush,  taking  the  place  of  the  Second  Regiment,  who  filed 
to  the  left  to  prevent  a  flank  movement.  About  this  stage 
of  the  battle  Bob  Rowbottom,  one  of  our  cannoneers,  walked 
up  to  the  front  and  shouted  to  the  rebs  to  stop  shooting  up 
there  or  he  would  give  them  a  shot  from  his  gun,  he  suppos 
ing  them  to  be  our  men  firing  in  the  wrong  direction.  The 
Second  New  Hampshire  was  now  called  into  the  fight,  and, 
together  with  the  Seventy-first  New  York,  took  the  places 
of  the  First  and  Second  Rhode  Island,  who  were  on  the  left 
flank  of  our  brigade.  The  first  brigade  of  our  division  under 
command  of  Colonel  Porter,  came  to  the  support  of  our  bat 
tery.  Lieutenant  Weeden's  horse  was  killed  about  this 
time,  also  that  of  Governor  Sprague,  who  came  to  the 
writer  for  another  horse.  When  furnishing  him  with  an 
other  horse,  he  remarked  that  he  feared  it  might  get  killed, 
when  I  said  to  him,  "I  should  think  you  would  be  more 
afraid  of  getting  killed  yourself."  His  reply  was  to  the 
effect  that  it  would  not  do  to  be  afraid.  After  mounting 
he  went  but  a  short  distance  before  his  horse  was  shot 
and  the  work  began  again  of  shifting  his  saddle  and  holster 


1861.]  THE    BULL    RUN    BATTLE  21 

over  from  the  dead  horse  to  a  fresh  one,  it  being  the  last 
spare  horse  the  battery  had.  After  this  I  had  nothing  to 
do,  so  I  ran  to  where  our  battery  was  stationed  and  offered 
to  assist  Corp.  Gamaliel  L.  D wight  at  his  gun.  He  or 
dered  me  away,  remarking  that  his  detachment  wanted  the 
honor  of  serving  that  gun.  About  this  time  I  met  James 
H.  Goldsmith,  Xo.  1,  of  the  first  gun,  badly  wounded 
through  the  arm.  I  assisted  him  to  the  Mathews  house, 
which  was  being  used  as  a  hospital.  Then  three  men  came 
along  carrying  in  a  blanket  Joshua  Brown,  who  wras 
wounded  in  the  leg  and  appeared  to  be  in  great  pain.  I 
took  hold  and  assisted  them  to  take  him  down  towards 
Sudley's  Church,  but  met  some  men  coming  with  a  stretcher, 
who  relieved  us.  I  returned  to  the  battery  and  received 
orders  to  take  Brown's  team,  but  Sergeant  Smith,  in  com 
mand  of  that  detachment,  did  not  seem  Avilling  to  give  it 
to  me,  but  gave  it  to  another  man  in  his  detachment.  In 
a  few  minutes  the  section  was  ordered  to  the  right,  and, 
as  we  had  gained  over  a  mile  of  ground  and  the  section  was 
put  in  battery  near  what  is  called  the  Doogan  house,  it  soon 
became  warmly  engaged  in  assisting  Heintzelman's  divi 
sion,  but  was  shortly  ordered  back  to  its  former  position 
with  the  battery.  Within  an  hour  from  that  time  another 
section  was  ordered  from  the  right  to  help  Heintzelman's 
division  out  again,  but  wrhen  we  arrived  we  were  too  late, 
as  the  two  regular  batteries,  Kickett's  and  Griffin's,  had 
been  captured  by  the  enemy  and  had  been  turned  against 
us.  We  pushed  forward  and  got  into  position,  but  before 
a  single  shot  could  be  fired  the  fatal  mistake  of  the  day  oc 
curred,  the  mistake  of  supposing  a  rebel  command  to  be  a 
portion  of  our  own  forces.  Thick  and  fast  their  bullets 
came  in  upon  us  and  they  were  rapidly  approaching,  when, 
with  almost  superhuman  energy  and  with  great  rapidity, 
which  I  never  saw  equaled,  our  cannoneers  limbered  to  the 
rear  and  we  withdrew.  Here  Private  Frederick  Bup  lost 


•79 


BATTERY    A,    FIRST    II.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [July, 


his  life,  and  Warren  L.  Yose  was  wounded  and  taken  pris 
oner.  It  was  out  of  reason  to  think  of  staying  there  any 
longer.  The  section  came  back  and  joined  the  battery 
which  had  also  advanced  to  the  front  and  right  at  the  same 
time.  We  had  two  guns  disabled ;  one  by  Xo.  2  getting  ex 
cited  and  putting  the  shell  in  front  of  the  cartridge,  and  one 
by  being  hit  so  it  had  to  be  slung  under  the  limber,  which 
caused  us  considerable  trouble  bringing  it  along  the  road 
after  the  retreat  began.  Our  brigade  being  out  of  ammuni 
tion  had  been  relieved  by  the  First  Brigade  under  Colonel 
Porter.  Major  Sykes,  with  the  United  States  Infantry, 
came  down  the  slopes  double-quick  and  relieved  the  Second 
Rhode  Island  Regiment,  and  Col.  William  T.  Sherman's 
brigade  of  the  First  Division  crossed  Bull  Run  at  Poplar 
Ford  and  came  in  to  the  left  and  relieved  Burnside's  brig 
ade.  Sherman's  was  soon  joined  by  Keyes'i?  brigade  of  the 
First  Division,  and  together  they  advanced  to  the  Warren- 
ton  Pike,  Avith  Heintzelman's  division,  our  army  gaining 
ground  at  least  one  mile  on  the  left  and  about  two  miles  on 
the  right.  Between  three  and  four  o'clock  the  fighting 
seemed  to  have  nearly  ceased.  Our  battery  being  out  of 
ammunition  we  drew  back  towards  Sudley's  Church,  just  to 
the  right  of  the  position  on  the  opening  of  the  fight.  A 
wagon  came  to  us  with  ammunition  and  nose  bags  were  put 
upon  the  horses  to  feed  them,  when  all  at  once  the  troops 
began  rushing  past  us.  We  tried  to  stop  them,  but  it  was 
no  use.  They  seemed  quite  excited  and  asked  us  if  we  had 
not  heard  the  bugle  sound  retreat.  Captain  Reynolds  be 
came  somewhat  anxious,  ordered  the  bridles  put  on  the 
horses,  the  men  to  mount,  and  the  battery  was  started  from 
the  field  left  in  front.  The  sixth  piece  was  in  the  lead  un 
til  we  arrived  at  Cub  Run,  where  we  found  the  bridge 
broken  down  and  the  guns  parked  two  abreast  alongside 
the  road,  and  where  in  inextricable  confusion  lay  baggage 
wagons,  caissons,  and  also  some  private  carriages  from 


1861.]  THE    BULL    RUN    BATTLE  23 

Washington,  that  had  come  out  to  see  us  whip  the  rebels. 
It  was  a  grand  mix  up.  One  baggage  wagon  and  two  cais 
sons  had  fallen  down  the  bank  into  the  stream.  A  baggage 
wagon  had  broken  through  the  bridge  together  with  an  am 
bulance  of  a  Massachusetts  regiment.  After  leaving  the 
battlefield  we  passed  Sudley's  Church  on  the  same  route 
that  we  had  taken  in  getting  there,  a  distance  of  eight  or 
nine  miles,  which  had  we  kept  straight  down  the  Warren- 
ton  turnpike  would  have  been  but  four  miles. 

While  passing  through  the  vroods  one  of  the  Zouaves 
climbed  upon  the  rack  of  our  battery  wagon  with  his  gun 
all  loaded  and  cocked  as  he  had  come  off  the  field  with  it. 
While  he  was  trying  to  shift  his  position  the  gun  was  dis 
charged  and  in  an  instant  there  was  a  panic.  The  cry 
arose  "Black  Horse  Cavalry !"  and  there  were  a  number  in 
jured  before  the  panic  Avas  checked.  After  that  there  was 
no  more  trouble,  only  with  the  gun  we  had  slung  under  the 
limber,  until  we  had  reached  the  Cub  Run  bridge,  and  there 
the  rebels  opened  on  us  in  good  earnest.  Until  that  time 
Burnside's  Second  Brigade  was  marching  in  good  order, 
with  the  First  Rhode  Island  in  advance,  and  with  Burnside 
and  his  staff  just  in  advance  of  them.  As  he  emerged 
from  the  woods  he  saw  at  a  glance  that  the  bridge  was 
broken  down,  so  he  filed  his  command  to  the  left  and 
crossed  the  stream  about  two  hundred  yards  to  the 
left.  When  the  enemy's  battery  opened  the  first  shot  they 
made  seemed  to  have  perfect  range,  the  shot  striking 
the  ambulance  that  was  on  the  bridge  just  as  I  was  about 
to  pass  it.  It  was  the  first  time  that  I  had  seen  anything 
to  startle  me  during  the  day.  This  caused  me  to  change 
my  mind,  and  I  immediately  passed  alongside  of  the  bridge, 
jumped  down  the  bank  and  stood  under  the  bridge  and  there 
remained  until  the  shelling  ceased.  The  panic  was  then 
completely  turned  into  a  rout.  Before  the  third  shell 
struck  near  us.  every  man  as  far  as  the  eve  could  reach 


24  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    II.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [July, 

seemed  to  be  running  for  very  life.  I  stood  and  watched 
them  as  they  fled.  One  of  our  guns  which  had  been  driven 
down  the  bank  into  the  stream  or  had  fallen  into  it  after 
having  been  left  by  our  drivers  still  remained  there,  but 
the  lead  and  swing-horses  had  managed  to  get  up  on  the 
bank.  I  went  to  the  wheel-horses  and  gave  them  a  little 
assistance  when  they  both  got  up,  and,  as  I  stood  thinking 
what  to  do,  two  infantrymen  with  gray  uniforms  came  out 
of  the  swamp  below  the  bridge,  and,  on  seeing  the  horses, 
came  up  on  the  rush  to  take  them,  until  they  saw  me,  when 
I  asked  them  if  they  would  like  to  ride.  They  both  agreed, 
one  mounted  the  lead  and  the  other  the  swing-horse,  and  we 
started  with  the  gun  up  towards  Centreville.  It  was  get 
ting  somewhat  dark,  but  the  rebels  could  see  and  hear  us 
and  sent  us  two  or  three  more  shots  after  that,  but  they 
went  wild,  and  we  proceeded  up  the  hill  at  a  good  gait  un 
til  near  Centreville  where  we  met  the  reserves.  The  officer 
commanding  acted  like  a  man  who  was  very  drunk.  He 
called  us  curs  and  one  thing  and  another,  and  finally  let  us 
pass.  We  had  not  gone  far  before  Governor  Sprague  came 
to  us  and  asked  what  gun  it  was.  I  told  him  it  was  one  of 
the  Second  Rhode  Island's.  He  ordered  it  into  the  field 
where  the  Second  Regiment  was  forming  on  the  right  of  the 
road. 

About  this  time  Charles  V.  Scott  came  to  me  and  claimed 
the  team  I  was  driving.  Knowing  the  team  was  his  I  gave 
it  to  him.  After  getting  rid  of  the  horses  I  could  go  where 
I  wanted  and  could  do  as  I  pleased.  Then  the  sergeant  of 
the  gun,  John  H.  Hammond,  came  up  and  began  to  upbraid 
the  infantrymen  who  had  assisted  me,  and  took  charge  of 
the  gun,  and  then  galloped  away  to  find  two  of  our  drivers 
to  take  the  horses.  He  had  some  difficulty  in  getting  the 
gun  from  the  men  who  had  brought  it  from  the  field,  but 
after  a  while  they  gave  it  up  to  him.  I  kept  on  till  I  ar 
rived  at  our  old  Bush  Camp,  and  found  everyone  was  turn- 


1861.]  THE    BULL    RUN    BATTLE  25 

ing  in  there;  so  I  went  in,  shook  hands  with  what  men  I 
saw  of  our  battery,  and  then  went  into  a  negro  cabin  where 
a  black  woman  was  cooking  for  some  of  our  officers.  While 
waiting  to  get  something  to  eat,  if  possible,  I  fell  asleep, 
and  the  next  I  knew  the  old  negress  was  shaking  me  in  great 
fright,  and  told  me  my  people  had  all  gone,  and  that  the 
rebels  were  close  by. 

It  was  so  dark  when  I  came  out  of  the  cabin  I  could 
not  see  anything  and  did  not  know  which  way  to  go.  While 
she  was  trying  to  tell  me,  our  farrier,  James  P.  Khodes, 
came  up  and  hailed  me.  He  said  there  was  a  horse  left  in 
the  fields.  I  went  with  him  and  we  had  the  good  luck  to 
catch  it.  It  was  a  brown  mare  which  afterwards  gave  birth 
to  a  horse  colt  which  was  called  Yorktown  and  brought 
home  by  Artificer  Dexter  D.  Pearce  and  kept  till  he  was 
twenty-five  or  six  years  old.  With  a  watering  bit  1  made 
a  bridle,  and  with  a  First  Regiment  blanket  I  had  picked  up 
after  delivering  the  gun  to  Scott,  I  made  a  saddle,  and  then 
I  started  for  Washington.  I  kept  company  with  Farrier 
Rhodes  for  some  time  until  Ave  overtook  the  army  straggling 
along,  when  Ave  became  separated  and  I  kept  on  by  myself. 
I  overtook  Sergt.  Robert  Robertson,  Jr.,  of  the  Second,  and 
a  number  of  his  regimental  comrades  to  whom  I  gave  a  lift 
on  horseback  thinking  to  help  them  along,  but  they,  not  be 
ing  used  to  it,  could  not  stand  it  as  well  as  they  could  walk 
ing,  so  I  mounted  again  and  was  soon  clear  from  the  strag 
gling  mass.  After  going  at  a  good  pace  I  reached  a  camp 
near  Long  Bridge,  called  Camp  Corcoran,  about  daylight, 
on  the  22d,  and  never  met  such  a  reception  in  my  life.  They 
€ould  not  do  enough  for  me.  Their  surgeon  stood  in  the 
road  stopping  everybody  and  shouting  to  the  men  of  his 
regiment  to  give  us  all  the  coffee  we  could  drink.  I  soon 
had  all  I  Avanted  to  eat  and  drink  and  lay  doAvn  in  a  little 
tent  and  immediately  fell  asleep.  I  was  awakened  about 
10.30  and  told  that  the  Rhode  Island  troops  had  crossed 


26  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [July, 

the  bridge.  Going  for  my  horse  I  found  it  all  safe,  but  my 
blanket  was  gone.  I  rode  to  the  bridge  and  found  a  mob 
clamoring  to  get  over.  An  officer  came  to  me  and  said, 
"We  will  let  you  across  as  soon  as  these  men  can  be  driven 
back,"  which  was  in  a  short  time,  but  there  was  a  grand 
rush  made  when  the  gate  was  opened  for  me.  The  Rhode 
Island  troops  being  the  only  ones  allowed  to  go  across  was 
what  caused  the  confusion.  I  crossed  into  Washington 
and  then  came  a  sight  that  brought  tears  to  my  eyes.  Men, 
women  and  children  came  forward  to  greet  me  and  gave  me 
all  the  food  I  could  eat.  They  were  intensely  interested 
in  my  welfare  and  wanted  to  know  IIOAV  far  away  the  rebels 
were.  All  I  could  tell  them  was  what  I  had  heard,  but 
thought  that  the  rebel  army  was  in  the  vicinity  of  Fairfax 
Court  House.  I  kept  on  until  I  reached  Camp  Clark  and 
found  a  good  part  of  the  battery  had  already  arrived  there ; 
also  the  gun  which  I  had  saved.  Like  the  people  in  Wash 
ington  they  were  all  glad  to  see  me,  as  I  had  just  come  from 
the  front,  and  all  wanted  to  know  where  I  had  last  seen  the 
rebs.  I  had  left  Bush  Camp  after  twelve  o'clock,  and  had 
overtaken  our  troops  and  passed  them  on  the  road.  I  could 
not  tell  any  more  about  the  rebs  than  they  could. 

I  had  had  a  good  rest  before  crossing  the  bridge  and  felt 
quite  well  when  I  arrived  at  camp.  The  poor  mare  had  not 
fared  quite  as  well,  but  she  had  all  the  water  she  wanted  to 
drink.  We  had  a  refreshing  shower  through  the  night, 
which  helped  to  cool  the  atmosphere,  but  made  it  quite 
muddy  and  bad  Avalking  for  the  men.  A  good  many  of 
them  had  taken  off  their  shoes  but  had  not  been  able  to  get 
them  on  again.  It  could  not  be  correctly  stated  that  night 
how  many  of  our  battery  were  killed,  but  we  were  sure  that 
two  were  killed  and  twelve  wounded.  There  was  a  number 
missing,  but  some  of  them  came  in  during  the  night.  We 
could  tell  then  how  many  were  captured.  We  had  six 
horses  killed  on  the  field  and  lost  nearly  all  the  rest,  with 


1861.]  THE    BULL    KUX    BATTLE  27 

five  guns  and  battery  wagon  and  forge  at  Cub  Run  bridge. 
As  none  of  our  battery  wagons  went  farther  than  Centre- 
ville  they  were  all  saved.  The  First  and  Second  Regiments 
lost  heavily,  including  Colonel  Slocum,  Major  Ballou,  Cap 
tain  Tower  and  Lieutenant  Prescott.  It  was  some  time 
before  we  could  ascertain  the  correct  loss  of  the  regiments 
and  batteries  engaged. 

Major  William  F.  Barry,  chief  of  artillery  at  the  Battle 
of  Bull  Run.  in  his  official  report  said :  "The  Rhode  Island 
Battery  came  first  upon  the  ground,  and  took  up,  at  a  gal 
lop,  the  position  assigned  it.  It  Avas  immediately  exposed 
to  a  sharp  fire  from  the  enemy's  skirmishers  and  infantry 
posted  on  the  declivity  of  the  hill  and  in  the  valley  in  its 
immediate  front,  and  to  a  well  sustained  fire  of  shot  and 
shell  from  the  enemy's  batteries  posted  behind  the  crest  of 
the  range  of  hills  about  one  thousand  yards  distant.  This 
battery  sustained  in  a  very  gallant  manner  the  Avliole  force 
of  this  fire  for  nearly  half  an  hour,  when  the  howitzers  of 
the  Seventy-first  New  York  Militia  came  up,  and  went  into 
battery  on  its  left."  Colonel  Burnside,  commanding  the 
Second  Brigade  of  the  Second  Division,  said :  "The  battery 
of  the  Second  Rhode  Island  Regiment,  on  the  knoll  upon 
the  extreme  right,  was  used  in  silencing  the  heavy  masked 
battery  of  the  enemy  in  front,  occasionally  throwing  in  shot 
and  shell  upon  the  enemy's  infantry,  six  regiments  of  which 
were  attempting  to  force  our  position.  Captain  Reynolds, 
who  was  in  command  of  the  battery,  served  it  Avith  great 
coolness,  precision,  and  skill." 

At  one  time  in  the  fight  a  six-pound  round  shot  came 
over  about  six  feet  in  advance  of  the  captain  and  covered 
him  completely  over  with  dirt  and  injured  him  somewhat, 
when  Private  James  Gardner,  of  our  No.  1  gun,  seeing  him 
in  that  condition  ran  up  to  him  on  the  impulse  of  the  mom 
ent  and  patting  him  on  the  shoulder  said:  "Never  mind, 
captain  !  We'll  whip  'em  !  we'll  whip  'em !'' 


28  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    II.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [July, 

COMMENTS  ON  THE  BATTLE  OF  BULL  RUN  AND  How  THE  GUN 
OF  THE   SECOND  RHODE  ISLAND  BATTERY  WAS  SAVED. 

In  whatever  accounts  I  have  read  of  the  battle  of  Bull 
Run,  the  book  or  paper  generally  closes  with  the  statement 
that  the  undisciplined  soldier  lost  the  battle.  Being  a  pri 
vate  soldier  myself  there  may  be  some  who  will  accept  my 
statement  as  of  but  little  account,  but  I  will  try  in  my  sim 
ple  way  to  tell  or  show  the  reader  how  in  my  mind,  the  bat 
tle  was  lost.  There  have  been  many  articles  and  papers 
written  in  regard  to  this  battle.  Many  have  said  that  if  the 
army  had  not  tarried  at  Centreville  for  two  days  it  would 
have  won.  This  statement  I  will  not  dispute;  as  Johnston 
could  not  have  reached  there  in  time  to  have  saved  Beau- 
regard  from  being  defeated;  yet  it  seems  that  the  intention 
of  General  McDowell  was  to  attack  by  way  of  Blackburn's 
Ford,  and,  in  that  case,  no  one  can  tell  how  he  may  have 
succeeded.  As  it  was  he  changed  his  plans  and  made  a 
flank  movement  by  way  of  Sudley's  Ford,  which  would  have 
proved  to  have  been  an  excellent  movement  if  it  had  been 
executed  as  planned.  His  first  unfortunate  movement  was 
the  crossing  of  Cub  Run  with  such  a  large  force  dependent 
on  one  single  wornout  bridge,  while  the  stream  was  at  that 
time  of  the  year  only  a  good  sized  brook,  which  his  pioneer 
corps  might  have  bridged  in  half  a  dozen  places  in  a  very 
short  time.  Even  if  he  had  built  only  one  such  bridge  he 
could  have  saved  his  wagon  trains  and  artillery.  As  it  was 
he  marched  over  a  structure  that  had  to  be  braced  up  before 
all  his  troops  had  passed  over  it.  Then  he  allowed  Gen 
eral  Tyler  to  delay  his  army  for  about  three  hours  on  the 
morning  of  the  21st,  as  Hunter's  division  marched  about 
four  miles  to  find  Tyler's  men  making  coffee,  and  then  not 
moving  until  it  suited  their  convenience.  He  also  allowed 
Heintzelman  to  pass  the  road  he  was  ordered  to  take,  which 
would  have  put  him  in  position  on  the  right  of  Tyler  and 
the  left  of  Hunter,  and  he  then  would  have  been  ready  to 


1861.]  THE    BULL    KUN    BATTLE  29 

attack  at  the  same  time  as  Burnside.  As  it  was,  he  did 
not  get  up  until  re-enforcements  had  been  brought  to  that 
part  of  the  field,  and  then  appeared  on  the  right  of  Hunter 
instead  of  on  his  left,  where  he  was  expected,  by  which 
movement  Hunter's  left  was  exposed  so  that  if  the  Con 
federates  had  improved  their  opportunity  they  could  have 
destroyed  and  captured  Hunter's  division. 

Again,  he  allowed  the  battle  to  be  fought  by  regiments 
instead  of  by  brigades  or  divisions.  As  it  was,  the  Second 
Rhode  Island  Regiment  and  Battery  fought  without  sup 
port  for  over  twenty  minutes,  some  writers  say  over  thirty, 
and  gained  ground  all  the  time,  whereas  if  brigades  or  divi 
sions  had  been  thrown  in  as  should  have  been  done,  the  sur 
prise  would  have  been  complete  and  the  enemy  panic-striken 
before  re-enforcements  could  have  arrived. 

As  I  have  already  stated  1  was  only  a  private  soldier,  yet 
I  viewed  the  battle  from  a  good  position,  and  through 
clear,  far-seeing  eyes,  and  I  claim  that  through  the  assist 
ance  of  two  infantrymen  I  saved  the  only  piece  of  artillery 
of  our  battery  from  the  field  of  Bull  Run  that  had  been  en 
gaged  on  that  day  and  never  received  credit  for  it.  On  the 
contrary,  another  man  was  promoted  for  it,  though  the  only 
part  he  took  in  saving  the  gun  was  to  take  it  away  from  me 
and  the  infantrymen  who  assisted  me  after  we  had  brought 
it  from  the  field.  As  I  have  said  there  was  no  reason  for 
our  troops  to  have  left  the  field.  I  remained  at  Cub  Run 
bridge  until  the  army  had  gone  and  not  one  man  in  sight 
as  far  as  I  could  see,  and  there  was  a  good  view  from  where 
I  was,  and  no  effort  was  made  to  stop  any  one,  but  all  alike, 
as  it  appeared  to  me,  seemed  to  be  striving  to  see  who  could 
reach  Centreville  Heights  first. 

Lieut.  J.  Albert  Monroe  in  a  paper  read  before  the  Sol 
diers  and  Sailors  Historical  Society  of  Rhode  Island,  says : 

"About  one  or  two  hours  after  the  engagement  began, 
Captain  Re37nolds,  with  Lieutenants  Tompkins  and  Weeden, 


30  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [July, 

went  off  to  the  right  of  our  position  with  two  guns,  which 
were  placed  in  position  near  the  Doogan  house,  I  think, 
where  they  went  earnestly  to  work. 

"During  their  absence,  Sergt.  John  H.  Hammond,  of  my 
section,  reported  to  me  that  he  was  entirely  out  of  ammuni 
tion,  and,  as  I  knew  that  there  Avas  no  reserve  supply  for 
the  James's  gun  within  available  distance,  I  directed  him 
to  take  his  piece  to  the  rear  to  some  safe  place  and  wait 
for  orders. 

"Upon  going  out  of  the  house  to  resume  the  march,  I 
found,  to  my  surprise,  that  sometime  during  the  march, 
Private  Scott  (Charles  V.)  had  arrived  in  camp  with  the 
piece  that  I  had  sent  off  the  field  under  Sergeant  Hammond 
for  want  of  ammunition.  Upon  inquiring  of  Scott  for  the 
particulars  of  his  becoming  possessed  of  it,  he  informed  me 
that  he  got  strayed  from  the  company,  and,  while  picking 
his  way  through  the  woods,  came  upon  the  piece  with  all 
or  a  portion  of  the  horses  still  hitched  to  it.  Calling  upon 
some  infantrymen  near  by,  who  were  also  astray,  he 
mounted  one  horse  himself  and  directed  them  to  mount 
the  other  horses,  and  together  they  took  the  piece  to  Centre- 
ville.  Its  advent  was  hailed  with  special  delight  by  every 
member  of  the  battery.  Sergeant  Hammond  told  me  that 
he  followed  his  instructions  to  the  letter;  that  after  direct 
ing  his  cannoneers  to  serve  with  the  other  pieces,  he  took 
the  piece  well  to  the  rear  and  sought  an*  obscure,  and,  as  he 
thought,  a  secure  place,  and  with  his  drivers  remained  by 
it  awaiting  orders.  During  the  afternoon  some  cavalry  ap 
peared  in  their  near  vicinity,  and,  supposing  them  to  be 
rebel  cavalry,  they  fled,  knowing  that  if  they  attempted  to 
take  the  piece  with  them  it  would  be  captured  and  they 
Avould  be  taken  with  it.  It  is  highly  probable  that  the 
cavalry  they  saw  were  a  part  of  our  own  forces ;  but  such 
had  been  the  rumors  and  talk  of  rebel  cavalry,  its  efficiency 
and  the  terrible  work  it  was  capable  of  performing,  that  the 


1861.]  THE  BULL  RUN  BATTLE  31 

* 

appearance  of  even  a  solitary  horseman  was  enough  to 
strike  terror  to  the  hearts  of  half  a  dozen  ordinary  men. 
Sergeant  Hammond  and  his  drivers  rejoined  the  battery  at 
Centreville,  assumed  command  of  his  piece,  and  took  it  to 
Washington  with  the  company." 

These  statements  I  have  made  may  seem  bold  to  some  of 
my  readers,  and,  while  I  may  not  be  capable  of  debating  on 
many  subjects,  yet  in  regard  to  this  battle  I  am  willing  to 
meet  any  one  who  thinks  differently,  and  will  endeavor  to 
substantiate  the  statements  I  have  made.  As  Lieutenant 
Monroe  did  not  himself  see  that  gun  when  it  was  taken  from 
the  field,  and  only  states  from  hearsay,  and  not  actual 
knoAvledge,  I  leave  it  to  any  one,  especially  those  who  are 
familiar  with  artillery  movements,  to  judge  for  himself  as 
to  who  gives  the  most  accurate  account  of  the  saving  of 
the  gun. 

The  casualties  in  the  Second  Rhode  Island  Battery  at 
Bull  Kun  were:  Two  men  killed  and  fourteen  wounded. 

The  casualties  in  the  whole  army  were  as  follows : 
Killed:  Officers,  19;  enlisted  men,  462;  total,  481. 
Wounded:  Officers,  64;  enlisted  men,  947;  total,  1,011. 
Missing:  Officers,  40;  enlisted  men,  1,176;  total,  1,216. 


NOTE. —  Since  the  compilation  of  this  work  I  have  been  informed  by  one 
of  the  men  of  our  battery,  John  W.  McKay,  an  esteemed  and  respected 
citizen  of  Providence,  R.  I.,  that  he  with  Olney  D.  Gladding  (the  latter 
being  mortally  wounded),  was  on  the  limber  of  the  gun  when  it  went  into 
Cub  Run,  where  it  had  been  left  by  our  drivers,  so  the  statement  is  incorrect 
where  Charles  V.  Scott  says  he  found  the  gun  in  the  woods. 


32  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    It.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [July, 


CHAPTER  III 

BACK  AT  WASHINGTON — SANDY  HOOK — POINT  OF  ROCKS — 
DARNESTOWN — EDWARDS  FERRY — MUDDY  BRANCH — - 
POOLESVILLE. 

THE  23d  was  a  gloomy  day,  but  I  was  kept  quite  busy 
attending  to  the  horses  that  were  saved.  They 
seemed  to  be  doing  nicely  and  very  much  refreshed 
after  a  good  night's  sleep.  The  men,  however,  appeared  to 
be  somewhat  disheartened  in  consequence  of  the  defeat  of 
the  Union  arms.  Some  of  them  wanted  to  return  and  fight 
the  Johnnies.  There  were  all  sorts  of  reports  in  camp 
about  the  rebels  coming  to  Washington.,  but  they  would 
have  had  to  show  better  fighting  qualities  than  character 
ized  their  efforts  at  the  Bull  Run  battle  before  they  could 
have  reached  that  city.  The  inhabitants  in  Washington 
were  at  fever  heat  and  officers  appeared  busy  as  if  making 
preparations  for  another  forward  movement.  There  were 
some  rumors  that  we  were  to  have  a  new  battery  and  cross 
the  river  again.  The  Second  Rhode  Island  Regiment  and 
our  battery  gained  an  enviable  reputation  in  the  late  battle. 
Men  kept  coming  into  camp  that  day  which  considerably 
lessened  the  roll  of  those  reported  as  missing. 

On  the  24th  the  men  seemed  more  cheerful,  although 
some  of  them  showed  the  effects  of  their  last  week's  trying 
experience. 

On  the  25th  there  was  considerable  excitement  in  camp. 
The  First  Regiment  left  for  home.  They  marched  off  with 
a  light  step,  and,  as  they  passed  us,  Captain  Reynolds  pro 
posed  three  cheers  which  were  given  with  a  will  and  to 
which  the  men  of  the  First  quickly  responded.  The 


LIEUT.  COL.  JOHN  ALBERT  MONROE. 

First  Lieutenant  Battery  A;  Captain  Battery  D;   Major;   Lieutenant-Colonel 
First  Rhode  Island  Light  Artillery  ;  Inspector  of  Artillery  ;  com 
manded  Artillery   Brigade,   Ninth   Army  Corps. 

NOTF. —  In  civil  life  he  was   a  distinguished  civil  engineer,  his  last  and  most  important 
work  being  the  construction  of  the  bridge  across  the  Thames  River  at  New  London,  Conn, 


1861.]  BACK    AT    WASHINGTON 

paymaster  was  in  camp  that  day  and  we  received  our  first 
pay  in  gold. 

On  the  26th  two  more  men  came  in  who  had  been  given 
up  for  lost ;  also  a  number  of  the  Second  Regiment. 

On  the  27th  General  James,  the  inventor  of  the  James's 
rifle  gun,  chose  men  from  our  battery  to  go  on  board  of  an 
ocean  steamer  down  the  Potomac  River,  near  Acquia  Creek 
to  exhibit  his  guns  (one  of  heavy  calibre),  upon  some  earth 
works  thrown  up  by  the  Confederates,  by  which  they  had 
been  blockading  the  Potomac.  There  were  two  or  three 
men  chosen  from  each  detachment,  chiefly  on  account  of 
their  good  work  at  Bull  Run.  The  president,  the  cabinet, 
foreign  officers,  diplomats,  army  officers  of  all  grades  were 
present,  also  a  number  of  ladies,  the  most  conspicuous  of 
whom  was  Miss  Kate  Chase,  to  whom  our  young  war  gov 
ernor  seemed  to  be  paying  considerable  attention.  Our 
men  received  great  credit  for  their  soldierly  appearance, 
and  Captain  Reynolds  was  commended  by  our  boys  for  re 
fusing  to  lunch  until  they  had  been  supplied.  Governor 
Sprague  and  Miss  Kate  Chase  appeared  to  be  enjoying 
themselves.  She  fired  the  big  gun  a  number  of  times,  which 
proved  to  be  a  most  powerful  one.  The  earthworks  were 
located  at  Cockpit  Point.  Nothing  was  seen  of  the  enemy 
except  two  or  three  men  who  ran  into  the  woods  after  the 
first  shot  was  fired.  There  were  some  excellent  shots  made. 

On  the  28th  Captain  Reynolds  received  orders  to  go  to 
Harper's  Ferry  and  relieve  the  First  Rhode  Island  Battery 
and  to  take  their  guns  as  their  term  of  service  had  expired. 
As  soon  as  possible  we  got  under  way  and  bid  Camp  Clark 
adieu.  We  marched  to  the  depot  of  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  Railroad,  taking  the  train  for  Harper's  Ferry  and 
going  by  the  way  of  Annapolis  Junction,  made  famous  by 
the  First  Rhode  Island  and  Seventy-first  New  York  Regi 
ments  on  their  way  to  Washington,  where  the  famous  song, 
"Only  Nine  Miles  to  the  Junction,"  was  composed  by  a 
3 


34  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [July, 

member  of  the  Seventy-first,  and  sung  lustily  by  the  mem 
bers  of  that  regiment.  We  passed  through  a  very  fertile 
country  and  also  observed  a  number  of  manufactories  on 
our  way.  We  arrived  at  Sandy  Hook  in  the  afternoon 
and  were  cordially  greeted  by  the  men  of  the  First  Battery, 
and  exchanged  stories  with  them  in  regard  to  our  expe 
riences  since  our  last  meeting. 

On  the  29th  we  relieved  the  First  Rhode  Island  Battery 
and  they  left  us  for  home  in  the  evening  with  rousing  cheers 
from  our  men,  which  they  returned  with  a  will.  We  were 
now  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Nathaniel  P.  Banks. 
We  encamped  upon  a  fine  plateau  above  the  village  at  the 
foot  of  the  Blue  Kidge  mountains,  called  Maryland  Heights, 
and  near  what  is  called  Weavertown.  Lieutenant  Vaughn 
went  with  the  right  section  to  Maryland  Heights,  which 
position  overlooks  Harper's  Ferry.  It  was  a  very  moun 
tainous  country.  The  Potomac  River,  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  Canal  and  railroad  lay  just  below  us,  and  lofty 
mountains  loomed  up  in  all  directions.  Captain  Reynolds 
went  home  on  a  leave  of  absence. 

On  the  30th  we  began  anew  the  life  of  a  soldier  in  camp. 
Mounted  drill  in  the  morning  and  the  manual  in  the  after 
noon.  It  was  very  hot  during  the  day  but  cool  in  the  even 
ing.  I  was  assigned  a  new  position,  the  charge  and  care 
of  all  the  sergeants'  horses,  and  I  had  all  the  work  I  wanted 
to  do  to  keep  everything  in  good  condition.  John  Lynott 
and  Patrick  Donegan  were  detailed  to  take  care  of  the 
officers'  horses.  Blackberries  were  in  great  abundance  on 
the  mountain  sides  and  the  men  brought  them  in  to  camp 
by  the  bucketful.  They  were  as  delicious  as  any  I  ever 
ate.  Some  of  our  officers  and  men  went  up  on  the  moun 
tain  with  the  first  section  and  reported  that  the  view  to  be 
obtained  from  that  point  was  indescribably  grand. 

On  the  1st  of  August  we  had  the  usual  camp  duties. 
Towards  night  we  witnessed  a  thunderstorm  of  unusual  se- 


1861.]  SANDY    HOOK  35 

verity.  The  scene  presented  to  our  view  was  truly  sublime, 
and  taught  us  a  good  lesson  in  regard  to  caring  for  our 
tents  and  in  preventing  them  from  blowing  down.  We  had 
not  become  accustomed  to  regular  army  rations  and  they 
were  decidedly  different  from  those  we  had  received  at 
Camp  Clark.  Our  men  realized  the  change,  but  with  ber 
ries  and  other  fruit  we  managed  to  get  along  very  well  on 
our  soldier  fare. 

The  2d  was  very  warm  and  there  was  considerable  stroll 
ing  about  by  the  boys.  Some  infantrymen  of  our  brigade 
were  in  camp  trading  stories,  and  telling  all  about  their 
hardships,  and  they  in  turn  listening  to  our  men  while  they 
related  their  experiences  in  the  Bull  Run  fight.  Everything 
here  seemed  to  be  quiet,  although  there  were  some  reports 
that  the  Johnnies  across  the  river  contemplated  making  a 
move  upon  us. 

On  the  3d  the  weather  was  extremely  hot,  and  it  told 
very  hard  on  the  horses.  We  remained  there  until  the  13th 
occupying  our  time  in  inspection,  drills,  and  the  regular 
camp  routine. 

On  the  Tth  we  had  considerable  excitement  in  camp  over 
a  negro  that  Corporals  Clark  and  Gushing  had  picked  up 
somewhere  and  were  using  as  a  servant.  A  detachment  of 
cavalry  was  sent  after  him.  The  corporals  getting  wind  of 
it  secreted  the  negro  in  the  side  of  the  mountain.  The 
owner  of  the  negro  was  with  the  cavalry  when  the  officer  in 
command  made  a  demand  for  him.  He  was  told  by  Lieu 
tenant  Monroe  Avho  was  commanding  the  battery  in  the  ab 
sence  of  Captain  Reynolds  that  the  negro  was  not  there. 
After  the  officer  had  carefully  looked  the  camp  over  Lieu 
tenant  Monroe  gave  him  to  understand  that  neither  he  or 
his  men  had  enlisted  to  hunt  negroes,  whereupon  the  offi 
cer  gave  up  the  search  and  departed.  The  owner  of  the 
negro  remained  and  began  to  look  around  the  tents.  Lieu 
tenant  Monroe  learning  of  this,  went  up  to  him  and  said, 


86  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    1.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Aug., 

"I  will  give  you  two  minutes  to  get  out  of  this  camp,  after 
which  I  will  not  be  responsible  for  what  may  happen  to 
you."  It  is  needless  to  say  that  he  was  not  there  at  the  end 
of  the  two  minutes.  We  had  considerable  fun  in  camp  that 
day  with  foot  races  and  other  sports.  The  Aveather  con 
tinued  very  hot  with  frequent  thunderstorms. 

On  the  evening  of  the  12th  Lieutenant  Monroe  received 
orders  to  proceed  to  Point  of  Rocks.  We  broke  camp  about 
six  o'clock  and  inarched  all  night  arriving  there  early  the 
next  morning.  It  was  a  very  pleasant  march  and  much 
better  than  if  we  had  marched  in  the  heat  of  the  day.  Lieu 
tenant  Vaughn  with  the  right  section  left  Maryland 
Heights  and  went  to  a  place  called  Berlin.  The  rest  of  the 
battery  were  located  near  the  Potomac  River.  A  very  pic 
turesque  view  was  obtained  from  this  point.  Colonel  Geary 
Avas  in  command  of  the  post  there.  The  Twenty-eighth 
Pennsylvania  Regiment  Avas  encamped  near  our  battery 
Avith  three  other  regiments  belonging  to  our  brigade. 
Across  the  river  AATas  a  large  mountain  called  the  Catoctin, 
the  northernmost  one  of  that  range,  and  we  could  see 
horsemen  quite  frequently.  Our  pickets  reported  consid 
erable  movements  of  troops  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river. 
The  reason  of  our  going  there  Avas  the  report  that  the  rebels 
contemplated  making  an  attack  both  at  that  place  and  at 
Berlin. 

At  that  place  a  section  of  our  battery,  Avith  the  Twenty- 
eighth  Pennsyh7ania,  under  the  direct  supervision  of  Col 
onel  Geary  crossed  the  canal  bridge,  and  our  section  under 
Lieutenant  Monroe  put  their  guns  in  position  and  the  regi 
ment  Avas  posted  along  the  river  bank.  Colonel  Geary 
called  for  volunteers  from  that  regiment  to  capture  a  rebel 
skiff  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river.  When  none  of  the 
men  of  that  regiment  responded  to  the  colonel's  request 
Comrades  Charles  V.  Scott  and  William  C.  Dore,  of  our  bat 
tery,  both  drivers,  volunteered  their  services,  which  were  ac- 


1861.]  POINT    OF    ROCKS  37 

cepted.  They  started  on  their  mission,  stripping  themselves 
of  all  their  clothing  and  in  full  view  of  the  rebels  on  the 
other  side,  but  for  some  reason  the  enemy  did  not  molest 
our  men,  probably  on  account  of  the  presence  of  the  regi 
ment,  and  a  section  of  our  battery,  the  latter  being  in  readi 
ness  to  open  upon  the  enemy  should  they  commence  to  fire. 
The  men  crossed  to  the  other  bank,  secured  the  skiff  and 
paddled  it  back  to  our  side  of  the  river. 

On  the  14th  we  changed  our  camp  nearer  the  river. 

On  the  loth  our  battery  was  still  on  duty  at  Point  of 
Rocks  and  there  we  remained  until  September  2d.  At  no 
time  during  the  service  did  the  officers  and  men  of  the  bat 
tery  feel  more  keenly  the  responsibility  of  their  situation 
than  while  stationed  there,  expecting  an  attack  from  the 
enemy  any  moment  either  by  night  or  day.  Our  life  there, 
however,  was  an  agreeable  change  from  the  monotonous 
routine  of  duties  at  Camp  Clark,  near  Washington.  We 
were  assembled  that  day  to  witness  the  drumming  out  of 
camp  of  a  soldier  from  the  Twenty-eighth  Pennsylvania 
Regiment,  convicted  for  stealing  from  his  comrades. 

On  the  16th  the  familiar  cry  "All  quiet  along  the  Poto 
mac''  might  fittingly  have  represented  the  situation  as  far 
as  any  demonstrations  by  the  rebs  were  concerned;  but 
nevertheless  it  was  a  busy  day  for  us  in  other  respects. 
Captain  Reynolds  returned  accompanied  by  the  Third  Bat 
tery  (B)  and  some  recruits  for  ours.  The  Third  Battery 
was  to  relieve  us  and  we  were  then  to  be  returned  to  Wash 
ington  to  be  brigaded  again  with  tli.e  Second  Rhode  Island 
Regiment  as  was  promised  when  we  came  here.  Colonel 
Geary,  however,  who  was  in  command,  did  not  deem  it 
proper  to  take  a  new  battery  that  had  just  arrived  from 
home  and  let  one  that  had  had  experience  depart,  as  he  ex 
pected  an  attack  at  any  moment  and  did  not  care  to  rely 
upon  a  new  battery  at  such  a  critical  period.  While  argu 
ing  the  point  the  long  roll  was  sounded  and  our  bugler  was 


88  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [Aug.,, 

ordered  to  blow  "Boots  and  Saddles."  By  this  ruse  the 
colonel  had  time  to  get  word  from  General  Banks  and  we 
received  orders  to  stay,  and  the  Third  Battery  went  to 
Washington  in  our  stead.  This  battery  was  under  the 
command  of  our  former  Lieutenant  Vaughn,  he  having 
been  promoted  from  our  battery.  Sergt.  George  E.  Ran 
dolph,  who  had  been  commissioned  a  second  lieutenant  on 
the  14th  of  August  left  us,  he  having  been  transferred  to 
Battery  C. 

The  17th  found  everything  quiet  on  the  Potomac,  our 
drills  still  being  kept  up.  Pigs  were  very  plentiful  and 
we  had  a  fine  time  while  encamped  here,  and  our  men,  as 
usual,  got  their  share  of  good  things. 

On  the  19th  we  were  called  into  line  and  Colonel  Geary 
gave  us  a  talking  to  about  killing  pigs.  He  said  it  was  re 
ported  that  our  battery  was  killing  a  good  many  and  he' 
hoped  it  was  not  as  bad  as  reported.  Captain  Reynolds  in 
formed  him  he  had  not  seen  any  pigs  killed,  although  he  had 
found  a  nice  ham  lying  on  his  table  that  morning,  but  did 
not  know  how  it  came  there.  I  could  have  told  him  but 
thought  it  not  wise  to  do  so. 

On  the  20th  we  had  a  fine  shower  which  prevented  us 
from  drilling.  Everyone  appeared  to  be  in  good  spirits 
and  we  had  plenty  of  pig  meat  for  breakfast. 

On  the  21st  we  had  considerable  excitement.  Baggage 
was  ordered  off,  but  our  tents  were  left  standing.  It  looked 
as  if  we  had  to  get  out  quick  for  some  reason.  Afterwards 
it  appeared  to  be  a  big  scare,  as  there  were  no  signs  that 
night  of  moving. 

On  the  22d  our  right  section  was  ordered  to  Berlin  and 
marched  towards  Frederick  City.  With  our  regular  drill 
and  some  games  everything  was  as  quiet  as  usual. 

On  the  23d  horsemen  were  seen  across  the  river  which 
caused  some  excitement.  By  the  action  of  some  of  our  men 
one  would  have  thought  the  whole  rebel  army  was  ready 


1861.]  POINT    OF    ROCKS  39 

and  Availing  to  come  over.  I  saw  a  few  men,  but  could  not 
tell  whether  they  were  soldiers  or  not. 

On  the  24th  it  was  very  quiet.  We  had  a  fine  drill.  Tur 
keys  and  chickens  were  reported  not  far  off,  which  report 
some  of  us  ascertained  the  truth  of.  We  captured  a  fine 
pig  that  morning  which  weighed  about  eighty  pounds,  a 
nice  portion  of  which  was  left  on  the  captain's  table. 

The  25th  was  a  very  quiet  day.  Received  visitors  from 
the  infantry  encamped  here.  Went  out  to  look  up  turkeys 
and  chickens  and  found  them  in  abundance.  It  appeared 
as  though  the  battery  might  be  supplied  for  a  whole 
week.  We  were  of  the  opinion  that  we  had  just  as  soon 
stay  here  the  rest  of  our  three  years'  term  of  service,  but  it 
seemed  too  good  to  last.  Colonel  Geary  came  into  camp 
again  and  inquired  about  the  turkeys,  but  there  was  no 
trouble  made  in  regard  to  them. 

On  the  26th  the  firing  of  artillery  was  heard  in  the  direc 
tion  of  Edwards  Ferry,  which  caused  considerable  excite 
ment.  Captain  Reynolds  and  Lieut.  John  A.  Tompkins 
with  one  section  went  to  Harper's  Ferry.  We  changed  our 
camp  that  day  out  of  sight  of  the  enemy. 

On  the  29th  there  was  considerable  excitement.  The 
Twenty-eighth  Pennsylvania  were  ordered  into  line  and 
marched  towards  the  river.  Our  battery  was  hitched  up 
double-quick  and  put  in  sections  along  the  river  bank,  but 
as  usual  it  was  a  false  alarm. 

September  2d  Captain  Reynolds  received  orders  to  join 
the  first  section  at  Darnestown.  We  broke  camp  in  quick 
time  and  were  soon  on  the  march.  Colonel  Geary  ordered 
his  regiment  into  line  and  they  presented  arms  as  we 
marched  past.  We  gave  them  nine  cheers  and  a  tiger. 
Our  battery  had  become  very  much  attached  to  Colonel 
Geary  and  his  regiment.  It  seemed  very  much  like  leaving 
friends  and  home  behind  as  we  esteemed  the  colonel  and 
his  regiment  very  highly.  The  march  to  Darnestown  was 


40  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.     I.     LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [Sept., 

one  never  to  be  forgotten.  This  section  of  Maryland  is  one 
of  the  finest  in  the  state;  in  fact  it  was  a  paradise  com 
pared  to  any  we  had  yet  seen.  We  arrived  at  Parnestown 
late  in  the  afternoon  and  went  into  camp  near  General 
Banks's  headquarters,  and  where  nearly  all  of  his  divisions 
were  encamped  around  the  town. 

On  the  8d  there  was  music  in  the  air  all  night  and  the 
call  for  the  corporal  of  the  guard  was  quite  frequent.  Our 
battery,  with  its  battery  park  and  horses  were  encamped 
near  the  road  leading  to  headquarters.  Everyone  who 
passed  to  and  from  the  general's  headquarters  was  halted 
and  the  countersign  demanded  of  him.  General  Banks 
himself  was  halted  three  times  before  he  was  allowed  to 
pass  our  camp.  He  finally  inquired  of  the  last  sentinel  on 
post  how  large  that  Rhode  Island  battery  Avas.  Our  camp 
was  very  nicely  situated  and  green  corn  and  pigs  were  quite 
plentiful,  and,  as  the  saying  goes,  we  "lived  in  clover." 

On  the  4th  as  the  battery  was  returning  from  drill  in  the 
afternoon  Lieut.  John  A.  Tompkins  received  orders  to  re 
port  at  Great  Falls  with  his  section,  about  ten  miles  dis 
tant.  After  a  very  hot  day  we  had  a  refreshing  shower  in 
the  evening. 

On  the  5th  the  left  section  under  Lieutenant  Tompkins 
arrived  at  Great  Falls  during  the  night,  guided  there  by 
Colonel  Harvey  of  the  Seventh  Pennsylvania  Infantry, 
whose  command  had  been  fired  upon  by  a  Confederate  bat 
tery  during  the  day,  firing  about  one  hundred  shots  and 
wounding  some  of  his  men.  The  section  was  put  in  good 
position  and  the  regiment  of  infantry  threw  up  an  earth 
work  around  it.  The  sections  of  our  battery  that  remained 
in  camp  went  through  their  regular  drills.  The  men  of  our 
battery  were  delighted  with  the  new  encampment.  John 
Tyng  was  the  life  of  the  camp  and  we  had  lots  of  fun  with 
Jim  Reader,  Captain  Reynolds's  colored  servant.  He,  it  is 
said,  was  the  fellow  who  put  a  green  corn  cob  into  Bug- 


1861.]  DAKNESTOWN  41 

ler  Snow's  bugle  and  broke  the  cob  short  off.  The  first  or 
der  Snow  received  afterwards  for  a  bugle  call  caused  more 
merriment  in  camp  than  I  had  ever  known  before.  After 
trying  for  a  long  time  to  blow,  he  discovered  the  trouble, 
and  became  very  angry,  and,  in  his  bland  way,  drawled  out. 
"I'd  give  ten  dollars  to  know  who  put  that  corn  cob  in  my 
bugle." 

On  the  6th  the  heavy  rain  'for  the  last  two  days  caused 
the  Maryland  mud  to  be  very  disagreeable  under  foot. 
Green  corn  and  pigs  were  plentiful.  The  section  at  Great 
Falls  had  no  opportunity  of  firing  at  the  enemy  as  they  did 
not  make  their  appearance  in  that  vicinity.  As  the  men 
left  on  a  quick  order  they  took  no  rations  and  soon  became 
hungry.  Some  of  the  men  went  into  the  town  and  had  the 
good  luck  of  finding  some  bread  and  molasses,  and  suc 
ceeded  in  appeasing  their  appetites.  There  was  very  little 
money  among  them,  so  Lieutenant  Tompkins  furnished  the 
means  out  of  his  own  pocket  for  procuring  their  food. 
About  three  o'clock  the  section  left  Great  Falls  for  Seneca 
Falls,  where  the  enemy  were  making  demonstrations.  With 
the  heavy  rains  for  the  two  days  previous  and  that  night, 
they  had  a  very  rough  experience.  The  country  through 
which  they  passed  was  densely  wooded  and  it  was  impos 
sible  to  proceed  farther.  They  therefore  were  compelled  to 
halt  until  daylight,  and,  taking  possession  of  an  unoccupied 
house,  made  themselves  as  comfortable  as  possible  until 
morning,  when  the  weather  became  more  propitious.  The 
men  discovered  a  fine  peach  orchard,  where  they  had  halted 
for  the  night,  and  supplied  themselves  with  an  abundance 
of  delicious  peaches.  The  march  was  resumed  with  very 
heavy  wheeling,  however,  and  the  section  arrived  at  Camp 
Jackson  about  nine  o'clock,  where  they  found  the  Thirty- 
fourth  New  York  Kegiment  of  Infantry.  Colonel  La  Due 
commanding,  who  gave  them  a  hearty  reception.  In  the 
evening  Colonel  La  Due  and  Lieutenant  Tompkins  took  one 


42  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY    [Sept., 

of  the  guns  and  masked  it  in  a  good  position  near  a  canal 
along  the  Potomac.  After  the  rain  the  sections  in  camp 
went  out  to  drill,  General  Banks  observing  it  with  apparent 
interest.  A  party  of  us  went  out  on  a  foraging  trip  and 
some  fine  peaches  were  found  near  our  camp,  which,  with 
the  green  corn  and  pigs,  added  greatly  to  our  bill  of  fare. 

On  the  8th  the  section  at  Seneca  Falls  fired  a  few  shots 
across  the  river  but  got  no  response  from  the  enemy.  At 
our  camp  in  Darnestown  it  was  very  quiet,  John  Tyng  and 
Jim  Reader  furnishing  most  of  the  fun  that  was  going  on. 
John  Navin  also  contributed  his  share  of  amusement  by  re 
lating  his  story  of  how  we  were  to  march  over  the  river  and 
capture  the  rebel  army,  and  thus  end  the  war.  Riding  out 
a  short  distance  from  camp  a  fine  peach  orchard  was  dis 
covered;  also  some  very  fine  pigs.  There  being  no  one  to 
assist  us  we  had  to  leave  the  pigs,  although  Ave  were  very 
loth  to  do  so. 

On  the  9th  the  section  at  Seneca  Falls  was  visited  by 
Col.  Frank  Wheaton  of  the  Second  Rhode  Island  Regiment, 
and  Maj.  Charles  H.  Tompkins,  our  chief  of  artillery.  They 
tried  a  few  shots  across  the  river  but  received  no  reply 
from  the  rebels. 

On  the  10th  Governor  Sprague,  Colonel  Wheaton,  Major 
Tompkins  and  Captain  Reynolds  left  our  camp  for  the  sec 
tion  at  Seneca  Falls.  They  found  everything  quiet  there. 
In  camp  at  Darnestown  we  had  our  usual  drills,  and  every 
body  off  duty  seemed  to  be  in  a  merry  mood.  With  occa 
sional  foraging  expeditions  we  were  enabled  to  live  on  the 
"fat  of  the  land." 

September  llth  the  section  at  Seneca  Falls  we  learned 
were  enjoying  themselves  as  only  soldiers  know  how  to  do. 
Songs  and  stories  filled  up  the  idle  hours.  Griffin,  with  his 
wonderful  yarns  about  apple  sauce  and  doughnuts  for 
horses,  was  much  in  evidence.  We  missed  him  in  our  camp 
very  much  to  help  Navin  and  Tyng  out,  yet  we  had  plenty 


1861.]  DARNESTOWN  48 

of  fun,  and,  altogether,  if  this  state  of  affairs  could  have 
continued  a  soldier's  life  might  have  been  called  delightful. 
Our  drills  were  regular  and  fine,  but  the  guard  duty  we 
thought  was  irksome.  Everything  remained  quiet  at  the 
Falls.  The  boys  fared  sumptuously  from  supplies  of 
chickens,  pigs,  fruits,  and  vegetables  from  the  plantation 
of  an  old  rebel  named  Peters.  We  in  camp  at  Darnestown 
could  not  complain  as  we  had  our  share  of  good  things. 

On  the  13th  we  found  some  late  corn  and  it  was  fine. 
Also  received  strict  orders  about  killing  pigs.  No  change 
at  the  camp  or  at  the  Falls.  A  few  men  could  be  seen 
across  the  river  daily  but  no  demonstrations  took  place. 

Sunday,  the  15th,  was  rather  quiet.  Some  of  the  boys 
attended  services  with  the  infantry,  and  a  number  of  them 
were  in  camp  asking  questions  about  our  guns.  I  visited 
the  section  at  the  Falls  that  day  and  it  was  a  very  agree 
able  trip.  I  found  them  very  pleasantly  situated.  There 
was  a  grand  view  of  Sugar  Loaf  Mountain,  and  the  scenery 
was  very  fine  indeed. 

The  16th  was  an  eventful  day  for  our  battery  as  we  were 
compelled  to  part  with  Captain  Reynolds,  he  having  been 
promoted  to  major  of  our  regiment  of  light  artillery. 
Lieut.  John  Albert  Monroe  received  a  captain's  commission, 
and  was  transferred  to  Battery  D  and  became  its  com 
mander.  Lieut.  John  A.  Tompkins  was  also  promoted  to 
captain  and  assumed  command  of  our  battery.  It  might 
be  said  that  for  an  hour  or  more  on  that  day  our  battery 
was  Avithout  a  commissioned  officer,  the  only  one  in  com 
mission  at  that  hour  being  Lieutenant  Newton,  who  was 
with  the  section  at  Seneca  Falls.  The  Thirty-fourth  New 
York  Regiment  crossed  the  river  and  had  a  skirmish  with 
the  enemy,  and  returned  with  a  loss  of  a  number  of  men. 

On  the  17th  it  was  very  quiet  in  camp.  The  section  at  the 
Falls  had  a  little  excitement  and  the  masked  gun  opened 
fire  for  an  hour  or  more  on  an  imaginary  enemy.  The 


44  BATTKUY    A,    F1HST    II.    1.     LHJHT    ARTILLERY     [Sept., 

major  of  the  Thirty-fourth   Avas  present  and  directed  the 
firing. 

Sunday,  the  22d,  was  another  eventful  day  for  some  of 
the  comrades  of  our  battery.  Lieut.  Henry  Newton  as 
sumed  command  of  the  left  section  on  picket.  Sergeants 
George  E.  Randolph  and  Charles  D.  Owen  were  pro 
moted  to  lieutenants,  and  Avent  to  their  new  commands 
in  other  batteries,  new  ones  having  been  raised  in  our 
State,  and  all  of  them  had  been  organized  into  a  regi 
ment  of  light  artillery;  and  from  that  time  on  our  battery 
Avas  known  as  Battery  A,  First  Rhode  Island  Light  Artil 
lery.  There  was  some  excitement  at  Seneca  Falls  as  a  con 
siderable  force  of  rebel  infantry  and  cavalry  could  be  seen 
across  the  river. 

The  23d  wras  very  hot.  A  few  peaches  were  all  that  could 
be  brought  into  camp.  Everything  was  quiet  with  the 
section  at  the  Falls.  The  gun  on  picket  Avas  ordered  back 
to  Camp  Jackson  Avith  the  other  gun.  The  paymaster  AATas 
in  camp  and  Ave  receiATed  our  pay  in  gold  for  two  months. 

The  24th  was  a  very  dull  day.  Went  for  a  pig  but  could 
not  find  one.  The  section  at  the  Falls  drew  their  pay  on 
that  day. 

The  25th  was  a  fine  day.  After  drill  Ave  had  considerable 
amusement.  A  pig  Avas  brought  into  camp,  but  the  fact  Avas 
kept  very  quiet.  Peaches  were  scarce  near  camp  and  we 
had  to  go  out  quite  a  distance  to  get  them.  Nothing  new 
Avith  the  left  section  on  picket.  They  seemed  to  be  getting 
fat  and  lazy  for  the  want  of  work. 

On  the  3()th  in  the  afternoon  the  left  section  returned 
from  Camp  Jackson  and  joined  the  battery.  It  seemed 
good  to  see  the  boys  again.  Griffin  appeared  red  and  fat, 
and  kept  the  boys  laughing  Avith  his  inimitable  funny 
stories  and  quaint  sayings. 

October  1st  AATe  had  some  excitement  about  midnight. 
All  hands  were  turned  out,  but  the  left  section  was  all  that 


1861.]  DARNESTOWN  45 

had  to  go.  They  left  camp  about  two  o'clock  and  returned 
to  Seneca  Falls.  They  arrived  there  about  daylight  and 
went  on  picket  duty  again. 

On  the  3d  our  new  lieutenant,  John  G.  Hazard,  reported 
for  duty  and  took  the  first  section  as  first  lieutenant. 
The  left  section  returned  to  our  camp  again  that  day. 

October  6th  our  battery  received  three  new  guns. 
Lieutenant  Hazard  made  a  new  rule  in  the  cooking  de 
partment,  changing  it  from  detachment  to  battery  cook 
ing.  By  this  new  arrangement  we  saved  rations,  and,  by 
selling  them,  created  a  company  fund. 

On  the  7th  Captain  Tompkins  received  orders  and 
inarched  away  very  suddenly  for  Harper's  Ferry,  with  the 
right  section,  taking  our  new  lieutenant  with  him.  There 
was  quite  a  severe  thunderstorm  that  evening. 

October  the  llth  we  had  a  new  arrival  in  camp,  Lieut. 
Jeffrey  Hazard,  brother  to  our  first  lieutenant,  John  G. 

October  13th,  the  day  was  very  quiet  with  the  exception 
of  a  visit  from  Governor  Sprague.  At  roll  call  that  even 
ing  Private  Frederick  H.  Benedict  was  not  accounted  for, 
and  it  was  reported  that  he  had  deserted. 

October  15th  Governor  Sprague  and  Colonel  Tompkins 
came  to  camp,  and  the  battery  gave  a  drill  and  parade 
which  seemed  to  be  very  satisfactory  to  them.  Our  old 
lieutenant,  now  Captain  Vaughn,  also  came  into  camp  that 
evening,  and  made  a  little  speech.  He  said,  "Boys,  I  de 
serve  to  be  kicked  for  ever  leaving  this  battery,  because  by 
right  it  is  my  battery  and  I  should  have  remained  with 
you."  At  this  remark  our  men  gave  him  nine  rousing 
cheers. 

October  16th  General  Banks  was  in  camp  in  the  evening 
and  was  much  pleased  with  his  visit. 

October  19th  we  had  a  fine  drill  at  which  General  Banks 
was  present  with  his  staff.  The  drill  and  appearance  of 
our  men  appeared  to  be  very  satisfactory  to  him.  The 


46  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [Oct., 

right  section  had  a  fight  Avith  the  rebels  at  Harper's  Ferry. 
Colonel  Geary.,  with  the  Twenty-eighth  Pennsjdvania, 
crossed  the  river  in  scows  and  forced  the  fighting  up  to 
Boliver  Heights.  The  right  section  under  Captain  Tomp- 
kins  stationed  on  Maryland  Heights  opened  on  London 
Heights  and  Boliver  Heights,  and  the  drivers  who  were  en 
camped  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain  amused  themselves  by 
firing  an  old  iron  ship  gun  mounted  near  the  canal.  They 
•had  no  shell  for  it,  so  had  to  substitute  railroad  iron, 
spikes,  and  anything  they  could  get.  It  was  quite  an  ex 
citing  fight. 

October  21st  Lieut.  John  G.  Hazard  received  orders,  and, 
at  short  notice,  we  packed  up  and  broke  camp  and  started 
on  a  forced  inarch  for  Poolesville.  On  our  arrival  we 
heard  that  a  desperate  battle  had  been  fought  at  Ball's 
Bluff  in  which  our  troops  were  defeated  and  reported  to 
liave  been  slaughtered  and  driven  into  the  river,  with  the 
exception  of  a  few  who  had  made  their  escape.  There  was 
great  excitement,  but  little  could  be  learned  at  that  time. 
We  kept  on  and  arrived  at  Edwards  Ferry  about  six 
o'clock  A.  M.  on  the  22d.  Here  we  found  out  that  between 
two  and  three  thousand  had  crossed  the  river  and  other 
troops  were  crossing  on  scows.  A  hard  rain  set  in  at  day 
light  and  continued  steadily  all  day.  We  had  been  skir 
mishing  all  day  and  toAvards  sunset  our  lines  seemed  to  ad- 
ATance  and  a  very  lively  engagement  ensued.  Rickett's  bat 
tery,  First  United  States  Artillery,  had  some  howitzers 
Avhich  seemed  to  be  doing  good  AA'ork.  Colonel  Geary  Avith 
the  Twenty-eighth  Pennsylvania,  Colonel  Murray  with  the 
TAventy-seventh  Pennsylvania  and  Van  Allen's  cavalry 
Avent  on  to  re-enforce  them.  Battery  B,  First  Khode  Is 
land  Light  Artillery  sent  one  section  as  far  as  Harrison's 
Island.  One  gun  Avent  over  to  the  bluff  and  Avas  lost. 
The  battery  lost  five  men  Avounded  and  four  missing.  Cap 
tain  Vaughn  Avent  over  with  a  flag  of  truce  to  see  about 


1861.]  EDWARDS    FERRY  47 

his  dead  and  wounded.  The  Fifteenth  and  Twentieth 
Massachusetts,  Forty-second  New  York,  and  Seventy-first 
Pennsylvania  were  engaged.  They  were  commanded  by 
Colonel  Baker,  acting  brigadier- general,  who  was  killed. 
A  great  many  of  the  officers  and  men  of  his  brigade  were 
killed,  wounded  and  captured.  The  21st  seemed  to  be  an 
unlucky  day  for  the  army,  and  the  Ball's  Bluff  fight  ap 
peared  to  have  been  more  disastrous,  according  to  the 
forces  engaged,  than  that  of  Bull  Run. 

The  morning  of  the  23d  broke  beautiful  and  clear  after 
the  rain.  The  enemy  were  reported  in  great  force  around 
Leesburg,  about  five  miles  distant.  Skirmishing  was  going 
on  all  day.  Captain  Tompkins  came  from  Harper's  Ferry 
with  the  right  section,  and  that  evening  they  were  ordered 
across  the  river.  The  guns  were  put  upon  a  scow,  with  a 
company  of  the  First  Maryland  Kegiment.  The  company 
did  not  know  much  about  handling  a  scow  and  soon  lost 
most  of  their  oars,  and  were  forced  to  return.  Orders  were 
given  to  disembark  and  they  returned  to  camp.  All  our 
forces  across  the  river  were  withdrawn  through  the  night. 
Between  five  and  six  thousand  were  over  all  together. 

On  the  24th  after  the  withdrawal  of  the  troops,  the  en 
emy  came  down  to  the  river  and  put  out  their  picket  line. 
A  few  shots  were  fired  at  our  men.  The  Union  batteries 
were  drawn  up  in  line,  but  no  shots  were  fired  at  the  enemy 
by  any  of  them.  The  rebs  shouted  to  our  pickets  all  day 
and  tantalized  them  about  the  defeat  at  Ball's  Bluff. 

On  the  25th  our  situation  was  the  same  as  the  previous 
day,  watching  the  enemy.  There  were  all  kinds  of  reports 
concerning  the  killed  at  Ball's  Bluff  and  across  the  river 
in  our  front  and  every  report  we  heard  seemed  to  increase 
the  list.  It  was  a  very  singular  movement  to  make,  and  it 
seemed  as  if  a  very  grave  blunder  had  been  made  by  some 
one.  We  learned  that  day  that  we  were  to  be  attached  to 
General  Williams's  brigade. 


48  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    J.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [Oct., 

Oil  the  2Gth  Captain  Tompkins  received  orders  to  march, 
and  we  were  not  long  in  getting  under  way.  We  were  un 
der  the  command  of  General  Williams  and  marched  with 
the  new  brigade  to  which  we  had  just  been  assigned.  We 
arrived  at  Muddy  Branch  and  went  into  camp  with  the 
Twenty-eighth  New  York  that  afternoon.  It  was  not  a 
very  inviting  camp  as  we  remember. 

On  the  28th  we  received  orders  to  build  stables  for  our 
horses,  and  the  details  and  work  connected  with  it  kept  us 
busy.  It  was  a  very  long  structure  and  was  covered  with 
wheat  straw,  which  was  very  plentiful  in  that  region.  The 
infantry  also  began  to  build  quarters  and  it  looked  as 
though  we  were  going  to  stay  there  all  winter. 

On  the  30th  a  cold  rain  set  in  \vhich  was  very  disagree 
able  and  which  showed  this  place  to  have  been  rightly 
named.  Muddy  Branch,  as  there  was  plenty  of  mud  in  evi 
dence.  The  construction  of  the  stables  progressed  rapidly. 
They  were  covered  with  straw  and  made  a  good  protection 
for  the  horses.  We  had  our  regular  drills  every  day  and 
became  better  acquainted  with  the  soldiers  of  our  new  brig 
ade,  and  there  was  considerable  visiting  going  on  among 
us.  A  number  of  shanties  were  built  here  where  we  bought 
pies  and  cake,  and  also  a  picture  gallery  where  my  friend 
Cooper  and  myself  had  our  pictures  taken  together.  All 
kinds  of  rumors  were  afloat  but  none  ever  came  true  so  far 
as  we  knew.  We  had  some  disagreeable  storms  and 
plenty  of  mud.  I  went  out  a  number  of  times  with  our 
teamer,  Ben  Shippee,  to  get  hay  and  grain  for  the  horses. 
It  was  accounted  a  fine  thing  to  go  out  foraging  and  get 
away  from  camp. 

From  October  30th  until  the  latter  part  of  November 
there  was  nothing  of  importance  that  occurred  in  our  bat 
tery. 

November  27th  we  broke  camp  at  Muddy  Branch  and  had 
a  very  disagreeable  march  in  a  cold,  driving  rainstorm. 


LIEUT.-COL.  JOHN  A.   TOMPKINS. 

Commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  of  Battery  A  ;    Captain  Battery   A  ;  Major 

First    Rhode    Island    Light    Artillery ;    commanded    Artillery 

Brigade  Sixth  Corps  ;  Brevet  Lieutenant-Colonel. 


1861.]  POOLESVILLE  49 

We  went  through  Poolesville  about  four  o'clock  and  went 
into  camp  about  4.30.  Our  tents  were  pitched  on  a  very 
level  piece  of  ground.  Our  camp  joined  that  of  Battery  B, 
of  our  regiment,  which  was  then  commanded  by  Lieut. 
Raymond  H.  Perry,  Captain  Vaughn  having  resigned.  The 
boys  of  Battery  B  treated  us  very  handsomely,  giving  us 
hot  coffee,  which  was  just  what  we  needed  after  our  march 
in  the  pouring  rain.  On  our  way  through  Poolesville  we 
saw  a  slave  pen  built  up  on  something  of  the  plan  of  a 
band  stand  where  slaves  were  sold  at  auction.  An  old 
man  standing  there  informed  us  that  "there  has  been  many 
a  nigger  sold  on  this  yere  stand." 

The  28th,  Thanksgiving  Day,  was  quite  a  holiday  with 
us.  We  made  a  feast  of  the  turkeys  that  were  presented 
to  us  by  Governor  Sprague. 

On  the  29th  we  began  another  new  stable,  and  it  looked 
more  than  ever  as  if  we  were  to  remain  there  in  winter 
quarters.  We  had  our  regular  drills  and  so  found  it  to  be 
a  very  pleasant  camp. 

On  the  30th  our  usual  drilling  and  stable  building  con 
tinued.  Our  drill  ground  was  as  fine  as  any  I  ever  saw. 
The  building  of  the  stables  progressed  rapidly.  There  was 
considerable  visiting  between  Battery  B  and  our  battery. 

From  December  1st  until  the  10th  of  that  month  nothing 
of  interest  took  place,  with  the  exception  of  occasional 
visits  to  Battery  B  and  the  infantry  encamped  in  our  vicin 
ity.  Drill  and  stable  building  was  our  chief  occupation. 
The  weather  began  to  feel  quite  winterish,  and  colder  than 
I  had  been  led  to  expect  in  a  Southern  climate. 

On  the  10th  our  division  under  General  Stone,  to  which 
we  had  been  transferred  from  that  of  General  Banks,  had 
a  sham  fight  at  Poolesville.  There  were  four  regiments  of 
infantry,  three  batteries  of  artillery,  and  Van  Allen's  cav 
alry.  We  fired  blank  cartridge  and  it  was  very  exciting. 
There  was  a  number  of  the  cavalrymen  injured  in  the 
charge. 


50  BATTERY   A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT   ARTILLERY      [Dec., 

During  the  llth  while  going  to  drill  and  when  on  trot 
march  Corp.  Seabury  S.  Burrough  was  thrown  from  the 
limber  and  his  leg  broken. 

On  the  12th  we  had  some  artillery  manoeuvres  with  three 
batteries,  which  was  a  fine  and  very  exciting  drill.  Our 
camp  was  at  last  well  established,  our  stables  completed, 
and  we  were  busy  working  on  houses  for  the  officers. 

On  the  13th  to  our  surprise  both  our  batteries  A  and  B 
received  orders  to  report  to  Conrad's  Ferry,  about  five 
miles  distant,  where  we  arrived  before  sunrise.  We  trav 
eled  very  cautiously  as  orders  were  very  strict  about  loud 
talking  as  they  said  the  enemy  was  only  three  miles  from 
us.  I  thought  it  was  very  singular  if  the  rebs  could  hear 
us  that  distance. 

Arriving  on  the  morning  of  the  14th  we  found  General 
Stone  and  Colonel  Tompkins  with  two  troops  of  cavalry, 
two  companies  of  the  First  Minnesota  and  two  companies 
of  the  Thirty-fourth  New  York.  The  rebels  had  built  two 
forts  which  they  christened  Johnston  and  Beauregard.  A 
balloon  had  been  sent  up  from  our  side  the  day  before  to 
reconnoiter  the  enemy's  works.  After  getting  into  posi 
tion  we  opened  fire  on  the  two  forts  without  much  effect, 
as  we  were  not  allowed  to  use  ammunition  belonging  to  our 
guns.  Lieutenant  Perry  did  better  work  with  his  Parrott 
guns.  While  we  could  see  a  large  number  of  men  around 
and  near  the  forts  they  never  made  any  reply  to  our  fire. 
About  four  o'clock  p.  M.  our  battery  and  part  of  Battery  B 
withdrew.  One  section  of  Parrott  guns  was  left  to  do 
picket  duty.  We  had  our  drill  and  fun  as  usual,  with  some 
pretty  cold  weather  and  bad  rainstorms. 

On  the  night  of  the  15th  (Sunday),  about  eleven  o'clock 
our  tent  took  fire,  and,  before  I  could  hardly  realize  it, 
it  burned  flat  to  the  ground.  It  took  fire  from  a  fireplace 
we  had  inside  of  it.  I  saw  it  the  instant  it  started  and 
grabbing  my  things  ran  out  of  the  tent,  but  it  burned  the 


1861.]  POOLESV1LLE  51 

back  of  my  bead  before  I  got  out.  All  I  lost  was  my  can 
teen.  It  was  over  in  an  instant,  but  some  of  tbe  boys  lost 
all  of  their  clothing  and  bedding.  It  was  very  cold  and  we 
had  to  crawl  into  other  tents  till  we  could  draw  one  for 
our  mess. 

On  the  18th  the  right  section  was  ordered  to  Conrad's 
Ferry  on  picket  duty,  but  came  back  in  the  evening.  From 
that  time  till  Christmas  day  the  different  sections  of  the 
batteiy  were  together,  and  drill  and  guard  duty  occupied 
our  time. 

The  25th,  Christmas  Day,  was  celebrated  in  an  appro 
priate  manner. 

On  the  26th  orders  were  received  to  build  log  cabins  for 
winter  quarters.  One  or  two  had  already  been  built.  De 
tails  were  made  to  cut  timber  for  the  officers'  quarters  first, 
non-commissioned  officers  next,  then  the  privates.  De 
tails  were  made  daily  of  men  to  chop  Avood. 

On  the  27th  Battery  B,  of  Pennsylvania,  came  from 
McCalFs  division,  after  having  taken  part  in  the  battle  at 
Dranesville. 

On  the  30th  the  centre  section  under  Lieut.  Jeffrey 
Hazard,  relieved  the  section  of  Battery  B  on  picket  at  Con 
rad's  Ferry.  The  fourth  detachment  was  changed  that  day 
to  the  centre  section.  They  were  then  called  the  sixth  de 
tachment.  They  relieved  the  section  of  Battery  B  and 
were  quartered  in  a  log  cabin,  with  a  fine  view  of  the  river 
and  Blue  Ridge  Mountains. 

On  the  31st  there  was  nothing  of  importance.  Regular 
camp  duty  and  some  games  between  our  battery  and  Bat 
tery  B. 

On  Wednesday,  Jan.  1,  1862,  everything  continued  the 
same  as  usual  at  our  camp.  The  section  on  picket  enjoyed 
themselves  that  Xew  Year's  day.  In  our  camp  we  managed 
to  obtain  a  good  living  as  pigs  were  quite  plentiful.  I  came 
near  getting  shot  that  day  while  catching  a  pig,  but  I  held 


52  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [Jail.,. 

on  to  him.  The  man  who  fired  the  shot  claimed  that  it  was 
accidental.  There  was  considerable  picket  firing  on  the 
river,  but  none  by  the  artillery.  There  were  some  signals 
reported  at  night  from  this  side,  which  were  answered  from 
the  other  side  by  spies  or  rebel  sympathizers.  It  was  re 
ported  that  General  Stone  had  blockhouses  built  of  large 
timber,  and  capable  of  holding  from  three  to  five  hundred 
men  each,  extending  all  the  way  from  Muddy  Branch  to 
Conrad's  Ferry.  The  weather  was  disagreeable  and  very 
cold. 

On  the  5th  Battery  G,  with  four  twenty-pound  Parrott 
guns  and  two  howitzers  under  command  of  Capt.  Charles 
D.  Owen,  one  of  our  old  sergeants,  arrived  at  Poolesville, 
making  in  all  three  Rhode  Island  batteries  stationed  there. 
Everything  moved  on  about  the  same  in  camp.  Navin, 
Tyng,  and  their  set  told  some  more  big  yarns  about  how 
we  were  going  to  capture  the  rebel  army.  The  section  on 
picket  was  reported  to  be  in  good  spirits  but  the  weather 
there  was  very  disagreeable. 

On  the  7th  it  was  reported  that  the  enemy  were  exhibit 
ing  great  livelieness  with  their  band-playing  and  very  busy 
strengthening  their  fortifications.  The  weather  was  very 
uncomfortable. 

The  weather  on  the  9th  was  very  cold  and  the  night  be 
fore  it  was  reported  that  the  river  was  frozen  over.  A 
steam  tug  came  up  the  canal,  which  was  a  great  sight  to 
our  soldiers  as  well  as  to  the  rebs  across  the  river.  Gov 
ernor  Sprague  with  a  number  of  guests  came  on  it. 

On  the  10th  it  was  reported  that  the  enemy  had  advanced 
their  pickets  over  to  Harrison's  Island,  at  Ball's  Bluff. 

On  the  12th  considerable  picket  firing  was  heard  along 
the  river.  In  camp  everybody  was  trying  to  keep  warm, 
as  it  was  very  cold  that  night. 

On  the  20th  Lieutenant  Newton  with  the  left  section  re 
lieved  the  centre  section  at  Conrad's  Ferry. 


1862.]  POOLESVILLE  53 

On  the  22d  our  hearts  were  cheered  by  the  paymaster 
coming  into  camp,  when  we  received  two  months'  pay. 
There  was  a  report  received  that  day  that  our  army  In 
Springfield,  Ky..  had  won  a  decided  victory,  in  honor  of 
which  the  national  salute  of  thirty-four  guns  was  fired. 

February  1st  was  a  very  cold  and  disagreeable  day,  with 
nothing  to  enliven  the  monotony  of  camp  life  but  card  play 
ing  and  some  story  telling. 

On  the  3d  the  right  section  relieved  the  left  at  Conrad's 
Ferry.  From  this  time  until  the  14th  there  was  about  the 
same  experience  every  day,  with  some  stormy  and  cold 
weather. 

On  the  7th  we  received  news  of  the  surrender  of  Fort 
Henry,  and,  on  the  8th,  General  Stone  was  put  under  ar 
rest,  General  Sedgwick  being  put  in  command  of  the  divi 
sion.  The  section  on  picket  reported  all  quiet  with  the 
exception  of  some  picket-firing  on  the  river. 

On  the  10th  the  centre  section  relieved  the  right  section 
on  picket,  and.  on  the  13th.  there  was  very  brisk  picket- 
firing.  Captain  Owen  was  ordered  to  open  on  the  forts 
with  his  twenty-pound  Parrott  guns,  from  Edwards  Ferry, 
and  kept  firing  for  an  hour  or  more,  without  receiving  any 
answer  or  doing  much  damage  as  far  as  could  be  seen.  In 
the  afternoon  he  opened  again  with  apparently  the  same 
results. 

On  the  14th  it  was  reported  that  one  of  the  Thirty-fourth 
New  York  shot  the  Confederate  officer  of  the  day  as  he  was 
passing  down  his  picket  line  near  the  river. 

On  the  15th  we  had  quite  a  snowstorm.  Everything 
quiet  in  camp  and  on  the  picket-line.  Heavy  firing  was 
heard  in  the  direction  of  Dranesville. 

The  16th  was  very  quiet  in  camp,  very  cold,  and  bad  get 
ting  around  since  the  snowstorm.  News  of  the  taking  of 
Fort  Donelson  was  read  to  us  in  line  that  day. 

On  the  17th  the  right  section  relieved  the  centre  section 
with  Lieut.  John  G.  Hazard  in  command. 


54  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    It.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [Feb., 

On  the  22d  quiet  all  day  along  our  lines  except  that  the 
rebels  fired  a  salute  in  honor  of  Washington's  birthday. 

On  the  23d  for  the  first  time  this  winter  the  enemy  opened 
fire  with  their  artillery,  and  a  baggage  wagon  was  hit  by 
one  of  the  shots.  The  section  was  ordered  to  camp  and  we 
passed  a  pleasant  evening.  It  was  the  first  time  the  bat 
tery  had  been  together  in  some  time. 

The  24th  was  a  very  busy  day  for  all  hands,  and  we  re 
ceived  orders  to  get  ready  to  march  on  the  morrow.  We 
had  knapsacks  issued  and  three  days'  rations  kept  ready. 

On  the  25th  AVC  broke  camp  at  Poolesville  about  eight 
o'clock  A.  MV  with  Sedgwick's  division  and  marched  by  the 
way  of  Barnesville  to  Sugar  Loaf  Mountain,  and,  after 
several  attempts  to  get  the  artillery  over,  stayed  all  night 
at  the  foot  of  it  without  any  tents,  and  did  the  best  we 
could  with  the  tarpaulins  that  were  used  to  cover  the  guns. 
It  was  very  cold,  but  the  excitement  of  the  march  seemed 
to  enliven  the  men  and  there  was  considerable  fun,  taking 
everything  into  consideration. 

On  the  26th  we  broke  camp  about  seven  A.  AIV  and  after 
some  very  rough  traveling  reached  Adamstown  about  noon. 
The  battery  went  into  park  near  the  railroad.  Troops  were 
passing  by  all  the  time  en  route  for  Harper's  Ferry,  to  join 
General  Banks,  who  was  already  there.  General  McClellan 
passed  that  day  on  a  special  train.  It  was  a  very  disagree 
able  night  and  we  suffered  with  the  cold,  yet  everyone 
seemed  cheerful. 

On  the  morning  of  the  27th  the  battery  was  put  aboard 
the  cars;  the  horses  with  the  battery  wagons  went  by  road 
through  Jefferson  City,  Petersville,  Knoxville,  and  Weaver- 
town.  We  arrived  at  Sandy  Hook  about  sunset.  It  was  a 
cold  and  very  disagreeable  march.  The  cannoneers  had  an 
easy  trip  as  they  went  by  train. 


18(32.]  HARPER'S  FERRY  55 


CHAPTER  IV 

FROM   HARPER'S   FERRY   TO   FAIR   OAKS 

OX  the  28th  we  crossed  the  Potomac  on  a  pontoon 
bridge  just  above  the  abutments  of  the  railroad 
bridge  (that  structure  having  been  burned),  and 
entered  the  town  at  the  Government  Armory,  passing  the 
engine  house  captured  and  occupied  by  John  Brown  on  his 
memorable  foray  into  Virginia,  Oct.  16,  1859.  The  loop 
holes  made  in  the  building,  which  he  used  as  a  fort  still  re 
mained.  Going  up  the  hill  through  the  village  towards  Bol- 
iver  Heights  we  were  quartered  in  some  brick  buildings  be 
longing  to  the  Government,  which  were  used  for  tenements 
for  people  who  worked  in  the  armory.  We  here  beheld  a 
very  peculiar  sight;  every  garden  in  the  village  was  fenced 
with  musket  stocks,  with  butts  up,  crossed  like  an  old-fash 
ioned  Virginia  fence.  It  was  a  very  odd  fence  but  did  not 
last  long  after  the  soldiers  took  possession  of  the  place. 
We  remained  here  until  March  7th,  having  a  good  chance 
to  look  around.  It  was  a  grand  and  impressive  view  which 
greeted  our  vision  in  every  direction  whichever  way  we 
looked,  either  up  the  Shenandoah  or  London  Valley  or  down 
the  Potomac  River,  the  Maryland  Heights  or  London 
Heights. 

The  writer  of  the  "Life  and  Letters  of  John  Brown" 
says :  "Harper's  Ferry  wras  named  for  Kobert  Harper,  an 
English  millwright,  who  obtained  a  grant  of  it  in  1748  from 
Lord  Fairfax,  the  friend  of  Washington.  The  first  survey 
of  this  tract  was  made  by  Washington,  who  is  said  to  have 
selected  the  Ferry  in  1794  as  the  site  of  a  national  armory. 
The  scenery  has  been  described  bv  Jefferson  in  his  'Notes  on 


56  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    It.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [Mar., 

Virginia,'  written  shortly  before  the  death  of  Eobert  Harper 
in  1782,  presenting  the  view  from  Jefferson's  rock,  above 
the  village.  He  said: 

"  'You  stand  on  a  very  high  point  of  land;  on  your  right 
comes  up  the  Shenandoah,  having  ranged  along  the  foot  of 
the  mountain  a  hundred  miles  to  find  a  vent;  on  your  left 
approaches  the  Potomac,  in  quest  of  a  passage  also.  In 
the  moment  of  their  junction  they  rush  together  against 
the  mountain,  rend  it  asunder,  and  pass  off  to  the  sea. 
The  scene  is  worth  a  voyage  across  the  Atlantic;  .  .  . 
these  mountains  of  war  between  rivers  and  mountains  which 
must  have  shaken  the  earth  itself  to  its  centre.' 

"Around  this  junction  of  the  two  rivers  has  grown  up  a 
village  of  three  or  four  thousand  inhabitants.  North  of  the 
Potomac  rise  the  Maryland  Heights  almost  perpendicular 
to  the  river's  bank,  and  thirteen  hundred  feet  above  it.  The 
Loudon  Heights,  across  the  Shenajidoah  are  lower,  but 
both  ridges  overtop  the  hill  between  them,  and  make  it  un 
tenable  for  an  army,  while  this  hill  itself  commands  all 
below  it,  and  makes  the  town  indefensible  against  the 
force  there.  Therefore,  when  John  Brown  captured  Har 
per's  Ferry,  he  placed  himself  in  a  trap  where  he  was  sure 
to  be  taken  unless  he  could  quickly  leave  it.  His  first  mis 
take  was  to  cross  the  Potomac  at  a  place  so  near  Washing 
ton  and  Baltimore,  which  are  distant  but  sixty  and  eighty 
miles  respectively  from  the  bridge  over  which  he  marched 
his  men.  This  bridge  was  used  by  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Railroad  and  by  the  travelers  along  the  highway;  and  the 
only  approach  to  it  from  the  Maryland  side  is  by  a  narrow 
road  under  the  steep  cliff,  or  by  the  railroad  itself.  On 
the  Virginia  side  there  are  roads  leading  up  from  the  Shen- 
andoah  Valley,  both  up  and  down  the  Potomac.  Harper's 
Ferry  is  indeed  the  Thermopylae  of  Virginia.  General  Lee, 
the  Hector  of  the  Southern  Troy,  came  here  with  soldiers 
of  the  National  army  to  capture  Brown  in  1859;  he  came 


1862.]  CHARLESTOWN  57 

again  and  repeatedly  as  commander  of  the  Southern  armies 
during  the  next  five  years.  His  soldiers  and  their  op 
ponents  of  the  Union  army  cannonaded,  burned,  and  pil 
laged  the  town,  from  the  effects  of  which  it  has  not  yet  re 
covered." 

We  were  at  the  time  our  battery  was  there  attached  to 
General  Gorman's  brigade,  and,  on  the  morning  of  the  7th, 
Friday,  we  marched  up  the  Shenandoah  Valley  nearly  into 
Oliarlestown,  where  we  encamped  in  the  edge  of  the  wood 
with  the  First  Minnesota  Regiment  under  Colonel  Sully. 
We  remained  there  until  the  10th,  receiving  new  Sibley 
tents  on  the  8th.  We  found  it  was  indeed  a  fine  country. 
We  were  on  the  edge  of  the  field  where  John  Brown  was 
hung,  and  every  one  was  looking  for  a  souvenir  of  that 
event.  I  found  a  soft  yellow  stone  and  made  a  pipe  of  it. 
On  this  field  among  the  Virginia  militia,  who  surrounded 
the  scaffold,  was  John  Wilkes  Booth  (afterwards  the  assas 
sin  of  Abraham  Lincoln),  who  was  then  an  actor  at  Rich 
mond,  and  left  his  theatre  to  join  a  company  from  that 
city.  This  fact  was  given  by  the  Virginia  correspondent 
of  the  New  York  Tribune,  Nov.  28,  1859.  Booth  assisted, 
therefore,  at  the  two  chief  murders  of  his  time,— "Washing 
ton  slaying  Spartacus,"  as  Victor  Hugo  said,  and  "Sicarius 
slaying  the  second  Washington."  At  this  camp  the  Min 
nesota  boys  indulged  in  a  peculiar  pastime,  in  seeing  how 
near  they  could  fell  a  tree  to  a  tent  and  not  touch  it.  They 
felled  one  eighteen  inches  in  diameter  between  my  tent 
and  the  next  one.  There  was  considerable  talk  made 
about  it,  and  they  thought  it  strange  that  we  were 
frightened.  Then  they  began  to  show  us  how  true  they 
could  strike  with  an  axe.  One  man  laid  his  hand  upon 
a  stump,  while  his  partner  with  an  axe  swinging  it  over 
his  shoulders  sunk  it  to  the  eye  between  the  man's  fin 
gers,  doing  it  a  number  of  times.  They  were  the  most 
hardy  looking  lot  of  men  I  ever  saw.  There  was  one  whom 


58  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [Mar., 

they  called  "Big  George"  who  was  nearly  seven  feet  tall. 
He  was  the  pioneer  of  the  regiment,  and,  at  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run,  a  bullet  plowed  through  the  hair  and  knocked 
the  skin  from  off  the  top  of  his  head.  George,  in  his  bland 
way  said,  "They  were  shooting  about  cavalry  high!" 

On  this  field  John  Brown  was  executed  in  December, 
1859.  On  the  same  day,  from  his  place  of  exile  in  Guernsey, 
Victor  Hugo  thus  addressed  the  American  republic: 

"At  the  thought  of  the  United  States  of  America,  a  ma 
jestic  form  rises  in  the  mind, — Washington.  In  this  coun 
try  of  Washington  what  is  now  taking  place?  There  are 
slaves  in  the  South;  and  this  most  monstrous  of  inconsist 
encies  offends  the  logical  conscience  of  the  North.  To  free 
these  black  slaves,  John  Brown,  a  white  man,  a  free  man,  be 
gan  the  work  of  their  deliverance  in  Virginia.  A  Puritan, 
austerely  religious,  inspired  by  the  evangel,  'Christ  hath  set 
us  free,'  he  raised  the  cry  of  emancipation.  But  the  slaves, 
unmanned  by  servitude,  made  no  response;  for  slavery  stops 
the  ears  of  the  soul.  John  Brown,  thus  left  alone,  began 
the  contest;  with  a  handful  of  heroic  men  he  kept  up  the 
fight;  riddled  with  bullets,  his  two  youngest  sons,  sacred 
martyrs,  falling  at  his  side;  he  was  at  last  captured.  His 
trial?  It  took  place,  not  in  Turkey,  but  in  America.  Such 
things  are  not  done  with  impunity  under  the  eyes  of  the 
civilized  world.  The  conscience  of  mankind  is  an  open  eye; 
let  the  court  at  Charlestown  understand,  Hunter  and  Par 
ker,  the  slaveholding  jurymen,  the  whole  population  of  Vir 
ginia,  that  they  are  watched.  This  has  not  been  done  in  a 
corner.  John  Brown,  condemned  to  death,  is  to  be  hanged 
to-day.  His  hangman  is  not  the  attorney  Hunter,  nor 
Judge  Parker,  nor  Governor  Wise,  nor  the  little  state  of 
Virginia, — his  hangman  (we  shudder  to  think  it  and  to 
say  it!)  is  the  whole  American  republic.  .  .  .  Polit- 
icall}'  speaking,  the  murder  of  Brown  will  be  an  irrevocable 
mistake.  It  will  deal  the  Union  a  concealed  wound,  which 


1862.]  CHARLESTOWN  59 

will  finally  sunder  the  states.  Let  America  know  and  con 
sider  that  there  is  one  thing  more  shocking  than  Cain  kill 
ing  Abel,  it  is  Washington  killing  Spartactis." 

A  few  months  later  (March  30,  I860,)  Victor  Hugo  wrote 
again :  "Slavery  in  all  its  forms  will  disappear.  What 
the  South  slew  last  December  was  not  John  Brown,  but 
Slavery.  Henceforth,  no  matter  what  President  Buchanan 
may  say  in  his  shameful  message,  the  American  Union 
must  be  considered  dissolved.  Between  the  North  and  the 
South  stands  the  gallows  of  Brown.  Union  is  no  longer 
possible.  Such  a  crime  cannot  be  shared." 

Again  on  the  triumph  of  Garibaldi  in  Sicily,  Victor 
Hugo  said  (June  18,  1860)  : 

"Grand  are  the  liberators  of  mankind!  Let  them  hear 
the  grateful  applause  of  the  nations,  whatever  their  for 
tune  !  Yesterday  we  gave  our  tears ;  to-day  our  hosannas 
are  heard.  Providence  deals  in  these  compensations. 
John  Brown  failed  in  America,  but  Garibaldi  has  tri 
umphed  in  Europe.  Mankind,  shuddering  at  the  infamous 
gallows  of  Charlestown,  takes  courage  once  more  at  the 
flashing  sword  of  Catalfimi. 

"Although  the  course  of  events  in  America  did  not  follow 
the  exact  lines  anticipated  by  the  French  republic,  the  gen 
eral  result  was  what  he  had  foreseen,  that  the  achievement 
and  death  of  John  Brown  made  future  compromises  between 
Slavery  and  Freedom  impossible.  What  he  did  in  Kansas 
for  a  single  state,  he  did  in  Virginia  for  the  whole  nation, — 
nay,  for  the  whole  Avorld. 

"It  has  been  sometimes  asked  in  what  way  Brown  per 
formed  this  great  w^ork  for  the  world,  since  he  won  no  bat 
tle,  headed  no  party,  repealed  no  law,  and  could  not  even 
save  his  own  life  from  an  ignominious  penalty.  In  this  re 
spect  he  resembled  Socrates,  whose  position  in  the  world's 
history  is  yet  fairly  established;  and  the  parallel  runs 
even  closer.  When  Brown's  friends  urged  upon  him  the 


60  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    L    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Mar., 

desperate  possibilities  of  a  rescue,  he  gave  no  final  answer, 
until  at  last  came  this  reply :  'I  would  not  walk  out  of 
this  prison  if  the  door  was  left  open.'  He  added,  as  a  per 
sonal  reason  for  this  choice,  that  his  relations  with  Cap 
tain  Avis,  his  jailer,  were  such  that  he  should  hold  it  a 
breach  of  trust  to  be  rescued.  There  is  an  example  even 
higher  than  that  of  Socrates,  which  history  will  not  fail 
to  hold  up; — that  person  of  whom  his  slayers  said,  'He 
saved  others,  himself  he  cannot  save.' ' 

About  eight  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  10th.  our  bat 
tery  broke  camp  and  marched  through  Charlestown  where 
we  saw  the  prison  that  John  Brown  and  his  men  were  con 
fined  in.  On  the  way  to  Berryville  considerable  excite 
ment  was  experienced  at  a  place  called  Kipton.  A  body  of 
the  enemy  could  be  seen  beyond  the  town.  About  one 
o'clock  one  of  our  sections  took  position  and  fired  a  few 
shots  into  Berryville.  The  Eighth  Michigan  and  Van  Al 
len's  cavalry  were  ordered  to  charge  the  town ,  and  by  some 
mistake  our  battery  was  ordered  with  them,  and  away  we 
went  charging  into  the  town  with  the  cavalry.  We  could 
see  men  on  horseback  leaving  as  we  entered.  Our  cavalry 
took  a  number  of  them.  They  were  a  queer-looking  lot. 
Old  and  young,  in  motley  garb  with  all  kinds  of  guns, 
mostly  shotguns  slung  across  their  shoulders.  The  bat 
tery  would  have  been  in  a  nice  fix  in  case  there  had  been 
troops  there  that  had  made  a  stand.  Gorman's  bri 
gade  followed  us  into  the  town  and  took  down  their  flag 
and  put  the  colors  of  the  First  Minnesota  in  its  place. 
Our  battery  was  put  into  position  in  sections  around  the 
town. 

On  the  llth  our  battery  stayed  in  Berryville  throughout 
the  day  and  about  sunset  went  into  camp  with  guns  in  posi 
tion  outside  the  town. 

We  remained  at  Berryville  throughout  the  12th,  and  one 
of  our  corporals,  H.  Vincent  Butler,  with  some  of  the  First 


1862.]  BERRY  VILLE  61 

Minnesota  men,  took  possession  of  the  printing-office  and 
printed  a  number  of  copies  of  "The  Berry ville  Observator." 
We  received  news  of  McClellan's  occupation  of  Manassas 
and  fired  a  salute  of  forty  guns.  In  the  evening  Captain 
Tompkins  came  dashing  into  camp,  the  assembly  was  blown 
and  the  captain  said :  "Boys !  A  fight  is  going  on  at  Win 
chester  and  this  battery  must  be  there !"  Camp  was  struck 
in  extra  quick  time,  and  in  ten  minutes  the  battery  was  on 
the  road  with  everything  packed  in  good  order.  Within 
half  a  mile  the  order  was  countermanded  and  we  went  into 
camp  again. 

About  eight  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  13th  we  broke 
camp  and  marched  for  Winchester,  and  when  Avithin  about 
two  miles  of  that  place  we  received  orders  to  return  with 
our  brigade  to  Harper's  Ferry.  Banks  was  already  occupy 
ing  Winchester.  WTe  arrived  at  Berry  ville  about  four 
o'clock.  We  found  the  roads  there  all  macadamized.  It 
seemed  strange  that  after  getting  out  of  the  mud  on  to  sucli 
fine  roads  that  both  men  and  horses  should  become  lame 
and  footsore.  When  we  first  struck  these  roads  we  thought 
it  was  grand,  but  the  change  was  too  sudden. 

On  the  14th  we  left  Berryville  and  marched  through 
Charlestown  to  our  old  camp.  After  a  good  night's  rest 
with  everyone  feeling  fine,  on  the  morning  of  the  15th  we 
broke  camp  and  marched  back  to  Harper's  Ferry,  going 
into  our  old  quarters  in  the  Government  houses.  The 
houses  did  not  seem  to  agree  with  the  men,  as  everybody 
took  cold  by  sleeping  on  the  floor.  We  were  all  in  fine 
spirits  after  our  trip  up  the  Valley  and  back.  WTe  re 
mained  at  Harper's  Ferry  until  the  22d.  The  Army  of  the 
Potomac  was  at  that  time  composed  of  five  corps.  Gor 
man's  brigade  and  our  battery  were  attached  to  the  Sec 
ond  Corps. 

On  the  morning  of  the  22d-we  broke  camp  and  marched 
to  Sandy  Hook.  There  were  rumors  of  Washington  as  our 


62  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Mar., 

destination,  as  well  as  other  places.  The  train  with  the 
battery  and  cannoneers  under  command  of  Lieutenant 
Newton,  left  at  seven  in  the  evening  for  Washington,  the 
horses  with  wagons  belonging  to  the  battery.,  under  Captain 
Tompkins  and  Lieut.  John  G.  Hazard,  inarched  a  few  miles 
and  then  camped  for  the  night. 

On  Sunday,  the  23d,  we  started  early  on  the  march  and 
had  a  very  pleasant  day  of  it. 

On  the  26th  we  took  an  early  morning  start,  driving  the 
horses  a  long  distance,  I  should  say  twenty  miles.  We 
camped  in  a  field  in  a  big  wood  about  eight  miles  from 
Great  Falls,  the  horses  standing  the  trip  first-rate.  Every 
one  fell  asleep  immediately  after  lying  down  for  the  night, 
as  this  march  had  been  very  tiresome. 

After  another  hard  march  the  next  day  we  arrived  at 
Washington  about  five  P.  MV  and  found  the  company  in 
what  they  called  Camp  Dunkins.  Our  guns  had  been 
changed  for  four  Parrott  guns  and  two  howitzers.  All 
hands  were  tired  out. 

On  the  27th  we  were  informed  that  we  now  belonged  to 
McClellan's  army.  We  had  the  first  battery  drill  some 
time  in  the  afternoon,  and,  without  unhitching  after  it, 
we  marched  to  the  foot  of  G  Street,  where  we  left  the  guns 
to  be  put  on  board  of  vessels.  The  rumors  were  so  plenti 
ful  that  no  one  knew  where  we  were  going. 

Friday,  the  28th,  our  battery  was  loaded  on  board  the 
steamer  Novelty,  the  horses  on  board  the  schooner  Charm 
and  barge  Onrest.  At  noon  wTe  started  down  the  river  as 
far  as  Alexandria,  anchoring  about  seven  o'clock.  It  was 
very  early  the  next  morning  when  we  sailed  down  past  Fort 
Washington  and  Mount  Vernon.  Thus  far  it  had  been  a 
very  pleasant  trip.  We  anchored  at  evening  near  Cockpit 
Point. 

Starting  early  again  the  morning  of  the  30th,  we  had  a 
pleasant  trip  down  the  Potomac,  which  was  interesting  all 


1862.]  ON   BOARD    SCHOONER    CHARMER  63 

the  way,  with  its  views  of  different  earthworks  that  had 
been  thrown  up  by  the  rebels,  and  its  places  of  historical 
interest  and  importance.  We  anchored  at  night,  gratified 
by  the  manner  in  which  the  horses  continued  to  stand  the 
trip.  As  they  were  on  deck  it  was  a  cold  berth  for  those 
on  the  east  side. 

Again  an  early  morning  start  on  the  31st,  passing  be 
tween  Capes  Charles  and  Henry,  and  dropping  anchor  at 
evening  close  to  the  celebrated  Monitor  that  had  just  won 
a  brilliant  victory  over  the  rebel  ram  Merrimac.  French 
and  English  men-of-war  also  lay  close  by,  with  Fortress 
Monroe  only  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant. 

April  1st  we  remained  at  anchor  all  day.  The  scenes 
here  presented  were  so  interesting  that  the  time  passed 
quickly,  with  the  company  unloading  the  battery  at  Hamp 
ton.  Though  there  were  many  warships  in  the  harbor  the 
little  Monitor,  facetiously  called  by  our  soldiers  ''the 
cheese-box  on  a  raft,"  was  the  object  of  the  greatest  inter 
est  by  many  visitors  and  sight-seers.  When  her  officers 
were  informed  that  we  had  participated  in  the  Bull  Run 
battle  and  other  engagements  they  invited  us  on  board. 
This  was  an  opportunity  of  which  we  gladly  availed  our 
selves,  and  the  occasion  was  one  of  rare  enjoyment  to  us. 
We  were  shown  where  she  was  hit  during  the  trying  ordeal 
to  which  she  was  subjected,  and  the  whole  story  of  the 
fight  was  told  in  such  a  vivid  and  realistic  manner,  that  it 
was  intensely  interesting  and  greatly  enjoyed  by  us  all. 
Descending  into  her  hold  seemed  like  going  down  into  a, 
well. 

On  the  2d  our  schooner  was  taken  as  near  as  possible  to 
Shipping  Point  to  a  landing,  a  sling  hitched  under  each 
horse,  which  was  then  lowered  and  allowed  to  swim  ashore. 
Some  of  the  first  ones  gave  some  trouble.  When  they  came 
to  my  horses,  I  asked  them  to  let  me  mount  and  be  put  over 
with  them,  to  which  the}'  consented.  After  that  there  was 


64  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R,    1.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY    [April,. 

no  trouble,  as  each  man  when  mounted  could  look  out  for 
and  guide  his  own  horses.  On  meeting  the  men  of  our  bat 
tery,  I  saw  Joe  Brooks,  who  was  wounded  at  Bull  Run  and 
taken  prisoner.  He  had  come  to  the  battery  accompanied 
by  some  recruits,  the  day  we  left  Washington.  We  were 
ordered  into  camp  at  Hampton,  which  was  nothing  but 
brick  walls  and  cellars  then,  it  having  been  burned  by  the 
rebels  before  they  evacuated  it. 

Hustle  and  bustle  was  the  order  of  the  3d,  as  McClellan's 
army  was  .concentrating  here  for  a  grand  attack  on  either 
Richmond  or  Norfolk;  at  least  so  it  was  reported. 

On  April  4,  1862,  we  left  Hampton  at  eight  o'clock  in  the 
morning  and  arrived  at  Big  Bethel  and  went  into  camp 
about  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  This  was  the  place 
where  Butler  had  his  fight  in  June  of  the  preceding 
year.  Here  the  different  regiments  and  batteries  of  the 
Second  Corps  began  to  assemble.  It  seems  fitting  at  this 
time  to  make  mention  of  this  corps  which  was  to  occupy 
such  a  prominent  place  in  the  history  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac. 

The  Second  Corps  was  organized  March  13,  1862,  in  ac 
cordance  with  General  Orders,  No.  101,  Headquarters, 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  Gen.  Edwin  V.  Sumner  was  as 
signed  to  the  command  of  the  corps,  with  Generals  Richard 
son,  Sedgwick,  and  Blenker  as  its  division  commanders. 
General  Blenker's  division,  however,  was  withdrawn  from 
McClellan's  command  on  March  31st  and  ordered  to  re-en 
force  Fremont  in  Western  Virginia.  Blenker's  division 
never  rejoined  the  corps;  in  fact  it  had  never  really  joined 
it.  The  remaining  two  divisions  which  constituted  the 
corps  at  this  time  numbered  21,500  men,  of  whom  18,000 
were  present  for  duty. 

It  was  one  of  the  five  original  corps  organized  by  Presi 
dent  Lincoln  in  March,  1862,  and  maintained  its  existence 
unbroken  until  the  close  of  the  war  in  May,  1865;  and  its* 


CAPT.  WILLIAM   B.  WEEDEN. 

Commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  of  Battery  A,  June  6,  1861  ;  promoted  Cap 
tain  of  Battery  C,  August  25,    1861  ;  Chief  of  Artillery  and  Ord 
nance  of  Division  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  June  26,  1862. 


1862.]  BIG    BETHEL  65 

history  is,  in  a  marked  degree,  the  history  of  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac.  The  corps  in  its  many  encounters  with  the 
army  commanded  by  that  distinguished  general,  Robert 
E.  Lee,  captured  fifty  Confederate  battle  flags  and  forty- 
four  pieces  of  artillery  without  losing  one  of  its  own;  the 
corps  which  had  been  commanded  by  Simmer,  Couch,  War 
ren,  Hancock,  and  Humphreys, — a  most  illustrious  roll, 
left  (according  to  the  United  States  official  reports) 
forty  thousand  men  killed  and  wounded  upon  the  many 
battlefields  of  Virginia,  Maryland,  and  Pennsylvania.  It 
was  prominent  by  reason  of  its  longer  and  more  contin 
uous  service,  larger  organization,  hardest  fighting,  and 
greatest  number  of  casualties.  One  regiment  of  this  corps, 
the  First  Minnesota,  sustained  the  largest  percentage 
of  loss  in  any  one  action,  while  another  regiment  of 
the  same  corps  the  Fifth  New  Hampshire,  the  greatest 
numerical  loss  during  its  term  of  service.  Of  the  one  hun 
dred  regiments  in  the  Union  army  which  lost  the  most  men 
in  battle,  thirty-five  of  them  belonged  to  the  Second  Corps. 

Its  banners  are  emblazoned  with  the  record  of  the  fol 
lowing  historic  engagements:  Siege  of  Yorktown;  Fair 
Odks;  Oak  Grove;  Games'  Mill;  Peach  Orchard;  Savage 
Station;  White  Oak  Swamp;  Malvern  Hill;  Antietam; 
Fredericksburg ;  Chancellorsville ;  Gettysburg;  Auburn; 
Bristoe  Station;  Mine  Run;  Morton's  Ford;  Wilderness; 
Corbin's  Bridge;  Po  River;  Spottsylvania;  North  Anna, 
Totopotomy;  Cold  Harbor;  Assault  on  Petersburg;  Jeru 
salem  Plank  Road;  Strawberry  Plains;  Deep  Bottom; 
Ream's  Station;  Poplar  Spring  Church;  Boydton  Plank 
Road;  Hatcher's  Run;  Siege  of  Petersburg;  White  Oak 
Road;  Sutherland  Station;  Sailors'  Creek;  Farmville;  Ap- 
pomattox. 

Gen.  Edwin  V.  Sumner,  the  first  commander  of  the  Sec 
ond  Corps,  was  an  officer  of  the  regular  army.  He  was 
born  in  Boston,  Feb.  30,  1797.  He  entered  the  army  in  1819 

5 


66  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I,    LIGHT    ARTILLERY    [April, 

as  second  lieutenant  in  the  Second  Infantry,  and  served 
in  the  Black  Hawk  War.  Upon  the  organization  of  the 
Second  Dragoons  he  was  commissioned  a  captain  in  that 
regiment;  was  promoted  major  in  1846,  and,  in  1847,  led 
the  famous  cavalry  charge  at  Cerro  Gordo,  where  he  was 
wounded  and  obtained  the  brevet  of  lieutenant-colonel. 
At  Contreras  and  Churubusco,  he  won  high  honors,  and  at 
Molino  del  Rev  commanded  Scott's  entire  cavalry  forces 
against  the  vast  array  of  Mexican  lancers,  and  for  his  gal 
lantry  and  efficiency  in  the  latter  action  he  was  deservedly 
brevetted  colonel.  In  1848  he  became  lieutenant-colonel  of 
the  First  Dragoons,  and,  in  1855,  colonel  of  the  First  Cav 
alry.  Until  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War  he  remained 
upon  the  plains,  commanding  in  Kansas  during  the  border 
troubles,,  and  conducted  a  successful  campaign  against  the 
Cheyenne  Indians.  The  distrust  entertained  by  the  admin 
istration  concerning  the  probable  action  of  Gen.  Albert 
Sidney  Johnston,  led  to  his  being  sent  in  1861  to  San  Fran 
cisco  to  relieve  that  officer  in  command  on  that  coast,  which 
General  Sumner's  unflinching  loyalty  and  courage  did  much 
to  hold  true  to  the  Union  cause.  Perhaps  the  question  may 
be  asked  why  at  his  advanced  age  he  should  have  been 
designated  for  the  command  of  twenty  thousand  new  troops 
in  the  field,  against  a  resolute  and  tenacious  enemy  skil 
fully  and  audaciously  led ;  but  the  soldiers  of  his  old  corps 
will  never  tire  of  according  a  full  meed  of  praise  to  the 
transcendent  virtues  and  to  the  eminent  abilities  of  this 
distinguished  commander.  In  honor,  in  courage,  in  disin 
terestedness,  in  patriotism,  in  magnanimity,  he  shone  re 
splendent.  Meanness,  falsehood  and  duplicity,  were  more 
hateful  than  death  to  the  simple-hearted  soldier  who  had 
put  himself  at  the  head  of  the  divisions  of  Richardson  and 
Sedgwick. 

The  commander  of  the  First  Division  of  the  Second  Corps 
was  Gen.   Israel   B.   Richardson.     This   division   was   what 


1862.]  BIG    BETHEL  67 

had  been  known  as  Simmer's  old  division,  and,  during  the 
previous  winter  was  encamped  near  Fort  Worth,  on  the 
Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad  at  Camp  California, 
where  it  had  been  put  through  a  thorough  course  of  drills, 
reviews,  inspections,  picket  duty,  and  sham  fights.  Gen 
eral  Richardson,  its  new  commander,  was  a  native  of  Ver 
mont  and  a  graduate  from  West  Point  in  1841,  and  Avas  a 
second  lieutenant  in  the  Mexican  War,  under  General 
Scott,  and  was  brevetted  captain  and  major  in  1851  for 
bravery.  He  afterwards  became  a  captain ;  and,  in  1855, 
retired  from  the  army  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Michi 
gan,  where,  on  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  he  organized  the 
Second  Michigan  regiment,  and  went  to  Washington  with 
it.  He  was  put  in  command  of  a  brigade  at  Bull  Run  and 
was  subsequently  appointed  a  brigadier-general  of  volun 
teers  to  date  from  May  12,  1861.  His  brigade  commanders 
were:  Gen.  Oliver  O.  Howard,  Gen.  Thomas  Francis 
Meagher,  and  Gen.  William  H.  French. 

Gen.  Oliver  O.  Howard  commander  of  the  First  Brigade, 
lost  his  arm  at  Fair  Oaks,  and  rose  to  the  rank  of  major- 
general  and  commanded  the  Eleventh  Corps,  and  subse 
quently  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  in  the  West.  Gen. 
Thomas  Francis  Meagher,  the  Second  Brigade  commander, 
was  famous  as  an  orator  and  a  leader  of  the  Irish  rebellion 
of  1848.  He  had  often  aroused  his  countrymen  in  America 
by  his  eloquence,  and,  on  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War, 
he  raised  the  so-called  Irish  Brigade,  which  proved  to  be 
one  of  the  greatest  fighting  brigades  of  the  war,  and  re 
mained  with  the  Second  Corps  until  the  collapse  of  the  Re 
bellion.  General  Meagher  was  one  of  the  finest  looking 
men  I  ever  saw  in  the  saddle,  and  generally  rode  a  thor 
oughbred  horse.  He  was  a  great  lover  of  sport,  and,  on 
two  occasions,  gave  horse  races,  steeple  chases,  and  games 
of  all  kinds  for  the  amusement  of  his  soldiers.  Gen.  Wil 
liam  II.  French,  the  commander  of  the  Third  Brigade,  was 


68  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY    [April, 

subsequently  promoted  to  the  command  of  the  Third  Corps, 
but  by  his  tardiness  on  the  advance  on  Mine  Run,  October 
llth  to  15th,  and  some  ill-feeling  against  General  Warren 
he  was  relieved  of  his  command. 

The  First  Brigade,  First  Division,  Gen.  Oliver  O.  Howard, 
commanding,  consisted  of  the  Fifth  New  Hampshire,  Col. 
Edward  E.  Cross;  Sixty-first  New  York,  Col.  Spencer  W. 
Cone;  Sixty-fourth  New  York,  Col.  Thomas  J.  Parker; 
Eighty-first  Pennsylvania,  Col.  James  Miller;  Second  Bri 
gade,  Gen.  Thomas  Francis  Meagher  commanding:  Sixty- 
third  New  York,  Col.  John  Burke;  Sixty-ninth  New  York, 
Col.  Robert  Nugent;  Eighty-eighth  New  York,  Col.  Henry 
M.  Baker.  Third  Brigade,  Gen.  William  H.  French,  com 
manding:  Fifty-second  New  York,  Col.  Paul  Frank;  Fifty- 
seventh  New  York,  Col.  Samuel  K.  Zook;  Sixty-sixth  New 
York,  Col.  Joseph  C.  Pinckney;  Fifty-third  Pennsylvania, 
Col.  John  R.  Brooke.  Artillery,  Capt.  George  W.  Haz- 
zard,  commanding:  Battery  B,  First  NewT  York,  Captain 
Pettit;  Battery  G,  First  New  York,  Captain  Frank;  Bat 
tery  A,  Second  Battalion,  New  York,  Captain  Hogan ;  Bat 
teries  A  and  C,  Fourth  United  States,  Captain  Hazzard. 

The  Second  Division  was  called  the  "Ball's  Bluff  Divi 
sion,"  and  had  been  serving  on  the  upper  Potomac  with 
our  battery  from  July  28,  1861,  to  March,  1862,  under  Gen. 
Charles  P.  Stone.  The  Fifteenth  and  Twentieth  Massa 
chusetts,  the  Forty-second  New  York  and  the  Seventy-first 
Pennsylvania  (California  regiment),  were  engaged  in  the 
memorable  battle  of  Ball's  Bluff,  Oct.  21f  1861,  meeting 
with  great  loss  in  killed  and  wounded.  The  three  bri 
gades  were  engaged  in  picket  duty  from  Harper's  Ferry 
down  to  Muddy  Branch,  connecting  with  Banks's  divi 
sion,  and,  on  February  26th,  commenced  the  march  up 
the  valley  to  Winchester. 

The  new  commander  of  our  Second  Division  was  Gen. 
John  Sedgwick,  a  native  of  Connecticut.  He  was  a  gradu 


1862.]  BIG    BETHEL  69 

ate  of  West  Point,  and  entered  the  army  in  18.37,  as  .second 
lieutenant  of  artillery.  He  was  brevetted  captain  and  ma 
jor  for  gallantry  in  Mexico;  and,  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Re 
bellion,  held  the  commission  of  lieutenant-colonel  of  cav 
alry.  April  25,  1801,  he  was  made  colonel  of  cavalry,  and, 
on  August  31st.  was  appointed  brigadier-general  of  volun 
teers.  He  was  one  of  the  finest  officers  in  the  service,  and 
had  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  his  soldiers,  who  affection 
ately  dubbed  him  "Uncle  John." 

The  commander  of  the  First  Brigade  of  the  Second  Divi 
sion  was  Gen.  Willis  A.  Gorman,  who  had  previously  com 
manded  the  First  Minnesota  Regiment.  Gen.  William  W. 
Burns,  commander  of  the  Second  Brigade,  was  at  the  com 
mencement  of  the  Rebellion  a  commissary  in  the  regular 
army  with  the  rank  of  captain.  The  commander  of  the 
Third  Brigade.  Gen.  Napoleon  J.  T.  Dana,  succeeded  Gen 
eral  Gorman  in  command  of  the  First  Minnesota  Regiment. 
and,  in  February,  1862,  was  appointed  a  brigadier-general 
of  volunteers,  being  succeeded  by  Alfred  Sully,  major  of  the 
Eighth  United  States  Infantry. 

The  First  Brigade,  Second  Division,  Gen.  AVillis  A.  Gor 
man,  commanding,  comprised  the  First  Minnesota,  Col.  Al 
fred  Sully;  Fifteenth  Massachusetts,  Col.  Charles  Devens, 
Jr.;  Thirty-fourth  New  York,  Col.  James  A.  Suiter;  Eighty- 
second  New  York  (Second  State  Militia),  Col.  George  W. 
B.  Tompkins;  First  Company  Massachusetts  Sharpshoot 
ers,  attached  to  the  Fifteenth  Massachusetts.  Second  Bri 
gade,  Gen.  William  W.  Burns,  commanding :  Sixty-ninth 
Pennsylvania,  Col.  Joshua  T.  Owen;  Seventy-first  Penn 
sylvania,  Col.  Isaac  J.  Wistar;  Sevens-second  Pennsyl 
vania,  Col.  De  Witt  Baxter ;  One  Hundred  and  Sixth  Penn 
sylvania,  Col.  T.  G.  Morehead.  Third  Brigade,  Gen.  Na 
poleon  J.  T.  Dana,  commanding :  Seventh  Michigan,  Col. 
Ira  R.  Grosvenor ;  Nineteenth  Massachusetts,  Col.  Edward 
W.  Hinks;  Twentieth  Massachusetts,  Col.  WTilliani  Ray- 


70  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY    [April,. 

mond  Lee;  Forty-second  Xew  York,  Col.  E.  C.  Charles. 
Artillery,  Col.  Charles  H.  Tompkins,  commanding:  Bat 
tery  I,  First  United  States,  Lieut.  Edmund  Kirby;  Battery 
A,  First  Rhode  Island,  Capt.  J.  A.  Tompkins;  Battery  B, 
First  Rhode  Island,  Capt.  Walter  O.  Bartlett;  Battery  G, 
First  Rhode  Island,  Capt.  Charles  D.  Owen. 

Sunday,  the  6th,  our  battery  was  sent  on  a  reconnoisance 
with  Burns's  brigade,  taking  nothing  but  the  guns  with 
eight  horses  to  a  gun.  As  we  came  within  sight  of  York- 
town  we  caught  sight  of  their  flags  and  breastworks.  They 
fired  at  our  troops  very  often.  Our  brigade  came  upon 
some  of  the  enemy's  batteries,  and  soon  afterwards  we  re 
turned  to  camp. 

The  7th  was  a  busy  day,  the  engineers  laying  out  a  line 
of  battle,  and  the  troops  throwing  up  breastworks  all  along 
the  line,  heavy  siege  guns  being  hurried  to  the  front,  Avhile 
Heintzelman  with  the  Third  Corps  held  the  right,  Keyes 
with  the  Fourth  Corps  on  the  left,  and  our  Second  Division 
of  the  Second  Corps  holding  the  centre,  making  Sedgwick 
connect  with  Hamilton  of  the  Third  on  the  right,  and  Smith 
of  the  Fourth  on  the  left.  The  troops  were  very  short  of 
rations,  and  the  bad  roads  made  it  hard  to  get  rations  up. 

The  camp  lay  along  the  lines  of  the  Revolutionary  Army, 
and  the  earthworks  thrown  up  by  Washington's  troops 
were  plainly  visible.  The  general's  tent  was  in  a  clump  of 
peach  trees,  and  very  near  the  same  spot  Washington  had 
his  headquarters.  The  enemy's  works  appeared  exceed 
ingly  strong  and  impregnable  to  us,  and  we  felt  somewhat 
discouraged  by  the  great  difficulties  to  be  encountered  in 
getting  ration  wagons  on  the  road,  though  corduroys  were 
being  built  as  rapidly  as  possible.  The  soil  was  wretched, 
and  there  seemed  to  be  no  foundation  under  the  mud,  which 
was  knee-deep. 

On  the  llth  Walter  Arnold  and  myself  as  a  committee 
took  our  rations  over  and  exhibited  them  to  General  Sedg- 


1862.]  CAMP    W1NF1ELD    SCOTT.  71 

wick,  asking  him  if  he  thought  that  was  enough  for  men  to 
live  on.  He  was  very  pleasant,  and  said,  "No !  it  is  almost 
impossible  to  get  them,  but  I  will  see  that  you  get  more 
very  soon."  News  of  a  great  victory  at  Pittsburg  Land 
ing  came  to  us  the  same  day,  and  the  next,  the  12th,  we  got 
orders  to  take  a  pair  of  horses  and  go  to  Shipping  Point 
for  rations.  Four  drivers  with  eight  horses  went;  we 
brought  in  what  could  be  packed  on  the  off  horses,  and  it 
was  a  terribly  tough  job  for  the  horses  to  get  through. 
This  was  in  consequence  of  our  reporting  to  General  Sedg- 
wick.  We  did  not  return  to  camp  until  the  13th,  after  the 
hardest  experience  we  had  ever  had  of  keeping  in  the  road. 
If  we  lost  it  the  horses  were  liable  to  get  mired  and  it  was 
almost  an  impossibility  to  extricate  them  from  the  mud. 
A  man  could  by  simply  standing  and  jumping  up  and  down 
shake  the  ground  for  twenty  feet  around  him.  We  found 
Governor  Sprague,  General  Barry,  and  Colonel  Reynolds 
in  camp  (the  latter  our  old  captain).  The  boys  were 
greatly  pleased  with  their  fresh  rations. 

We  started  again  on  the  14th  after  a  brief  rest,  for  more 
rations,  more  roads  having  meanwhile  been  laid,  which 
Avas  a  great  help  to  us.  Siege  guns  were  all  along  the 
road,  some  of  them  with  ten  or  twelve  horses  hitched  to 
them.  Nothing  transpired  in  camp  through  the  day. 
When  we  came  in  the  next  day  with  the  new  loads  and  also 
grain  for  the  horses.  General  Sedgwick  noticed  us  as  we 
came  in,  and  asked  if  we  were  getting  more  to  eat.  I  told 
him  yes,  but  that  we  were  working  for  it,  which  made  him 
and  his  staff  laugh.  As  he  rode  away  he  said,  "That's 
right;  bring  up  all  you  can,  it  is  the  only  way  Ave  can  get 
anything  up  here/' 

A  sharp  engagement  occurred  on  the  16th  across  War 
wick  Creek,  by  Brooks's  Vermont  brigade.  General  Rich 
ardson's  first  division  of  our  corps  joined  us  that  day  and 
it  was  the  first  time  Ave  had  been  together,  Avith  Howard's, 


72  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    1.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY    [April, 

Meagher's,  and  French's  brigades.  Smith's  division  crossed 
the  Warwick  Creek  and  met  with  quite  a  severe  loss.  It 
was  reported  that  they  had  cut  a  dam  away  to  prevent  our 
troops  getting  back  or  any  getting  over  to  them.  Our  divi 
sion  was  not  engaged.  Our  brigade  and  battery  advanced 
to  support,  but  did  not  go  into  action;  our  battery  was 
ordered  back  to  camp.  Capt.  William  F.  Bartlett,  of  the 
Twentieth  Massachusetts,  was  severely  wounded.  He  was 
a  brave  man,  and  this  was  a  great  loss  to  his  regiment.  In 
one  Vermont  regiment  were  a  father  and  two  sons  who 
came  out  of  the  conflict,  two  having  lost  each  an  arm,  and 
one  a  leg. 

There  was  considerable  firing  through  the  night  of  the 
16th,  and  in  the  morning  one  section  with  Parrott  guns 
was  put  in  readiness  to  inarch  at  a  moment's  notice.  1 
was  sent  again  to  Shipping  Point  with  the  ration  seekers. 
We  had  hardly  returned  to  camp  again  on  the  18th  with 
our  grain  and  supplies  when  we  received  orders  to  go  with 
the  four  Parrott  guns  to  within  a  mile  of  the  enemy  at 
what  was  called  Miner's  Mills,  and  went  to  within  eleven 
hundred  yards  of  the  enemy,  the  nearest  an}*  battery  had 
gone  during  the  siege.  As  soon  as  we  appeared  in  sight 
they  opened  on  us  with  a  shot,  the  only  one  fired  at  us  that 
day.  The  sections  took  different  positions  and  opened  on 
them.  We  kept  up  a  steady  fire  until  sunset;  the  guns  were 
sighted  for  the  night,  and  one  gun  was  ordered  to  be  fired 
every  thirty  minutes,  which  was  done. 

A  brisk  fire  began  at  daylight  of  the  19th,  with  no  re 
sponse  from  the  enemy  up  to  six  o'clock  p.  M.,  when  the 
rebs  fired  three  shots  at  Carlisle's  battery,  shattering  the 
thigh  of  a  lieutenant  of  a  Massachusetts  regiment.  Then 
there  was  silence  till  ten,  when  some  lively  picket  firing 
broke  the  stillness. 

During  the  day  of  Sunday,  the  20th,  several  volleys  were 
fired  by  the  rebel  infantry  without  damage  and  with  no 


1862.]  CAMP    WINFIELD    SCOTT  73 

reply.  Generals  Simmer,  Sedgwick,  and  Gorman,  inspected 
the  line  that  day  and  the  battery  fired  steadily  all  the  morn 
ing.  About  four  o'clock  we  were  relieved  by  Battery  P> 
and  came  back  to  camp. 

On  the  21st  the  beating  of  drums,  the  sounding  of  bugles 
and  music  of  all  kinds,  were  ordered  to  be  temporarily  sus 
pended.  Smith's  Vermont  brigade  had  a  skirmish  at  War 
wick  Creek,  we  remaining  quiet.  With  improved  rations, 
etc.,  the  spirits  of  the  company  became  lighter,  and  many 
sanguine  prophecies  concerning  the  morrow's  work  were 
heard.  All  was  quiet  when  the  day  arrived,  however,  up 
to  nine  o'clock,  when  our  orders  came  to  go  to  the  front. 
Arriving  there  the  rebs  greeted  us  with  two  shots,  which 
we  did  not  answer.  In  the  evening  we  fell  back  to  the 
wood,  the  Fifteenth  Massachusetts  regiment  supporting 
our  battery,  the  siege  guns  keeping  up  their  fire.  I  stole 
away  in  a  quiet  moment  down  to  where  California  Joe  had 
a  rifle-pit.  It  was  a  nicely  fitted  up  ditch  with  bushes 
around  it,  where  he  lay  on  his  blankets  and  shot  at  any 
one  appearing  on  the  enemy's  works.  He  was  a  very  odd 
man,  but  seemed  to  take  to  me,  and  asked  me  to  come  and 
see  him  any  time  I  chose.  He  had  two  rifles,  one  a  Ken 
tucky  rifle  which  he  called  "Long  Tom;''  it  had  a  set  trig 
ger.  I  fired  it  four  times,  he  loading  for  me. 

The  23d  found  us  still  at  the  front.  It  was  quite  an  ex 
citing  day,  the  rebs  fired  on  us  early  in  the  morning  and  we 
returned  their  fire  very  promptly.  It  did  not  last  long, 
and  all  was  quiet  until  four  o'clock,  when  they  opened 
again,  and  we  returned  it.  At  dark  we  fell  back  in  reserve 
again.  A  reporter  came  into  camp  later,  and  Griffin. 
Navin,  and  the  fellows  of  that  set,  filled  him  full  of  ac 
counts  of  hairbreadth  escapes  we  had  experienced.  A 
camp  kettle  had  been  overturned,  and  they  told  him  it  had 
been  knocked  from  the  fire  by  a  shell  from  the  enemy  while 
eight  men  were  standing  round  it  and  that  no  one  was  in- 


74  BATTERY    A,   FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY    [April, 

jured.  He  went  away  well  pleased  and  well  stuffed.  It 
was  great  sport  for  the  boys  to  be  interviewed.  When  a 
reporter  would  take  his  departure  he  had  copy  enough  to* 
fill  a  paper. 

About  nine  the  morning  of  the  24th,  we  were  relieved  by 
Battery  B,  and  went  back  to  camp.  Were  quiet  for  the  rest 
of  the  day.  News  came  that  McDowell  had  taken  Fred- 
ericksburg,  and  was  marching  to  join  us  on  the  right. 
Considerable  firing  went  on  through  the  night. 

The  battery  stayed  in  camp  through  the  25th.  Five  of 
us  were  again  detailed  to  Shipping  Point  for  rations. 
Took  ten  horses  and  had  a  fine  time.  New  corduroy  roads 
improved  the  traveling.  The  heavy  guns  were  coming  up 
fast. 

We  returned  Saturday,  the  26th,  with  the  usual  supplies 
of  grain  and  rations.  The  battery  had  gone  to  the  front, 
but  returned  soon  after  our  arrival.  There  had  been  quite 
an  engagement,  but  it  wras  all  over  before  our  battery  got 
there,  so  it  came  back  into  camp.  We  had  considerable 
amusement  for  the  rest  of  the  day.  Peach  trees  were  in 
bloom  at  this  date,  and  a  number  of  other  blossoming  trees 
and  shrubs,  and  the  camp  surroundings  seemed  very  pleas 
ant. 

Sunday  was  a  quiet  day  in  camp  with  very  little  firing. 
Again  I  Avent  down  to  the  rifle-pit  to  see  old  Joe;  no  one 
was  stirring  around  the  fort  in  his  front.  He  said  he  had 
them  trained.  He  was  a  great  character  and  a  great  shot. 

On  the  28th  General  Sedgwick  ordered  our  battery  to 
redoubt  No.  7,  to  cover  the  work  on  No.  8  battery.  The 
rebels  opened  very  heavily  on  us,  we  giving  them  as  good  as 
they  sent.  Batteries  B  and  G  were  also  engaged  in  it. 
Lieutenant  Allen's  three-inch  field  guns  jumped  so  badly 
that  he  attempted  to  stop  it  by  putting  the  trails  against 
trees.  The  first  shot  dismantled  one  of  them,  which  quickly 
ended  the  experiment.  We  fell  back  in  reserve  at  night, 


COL.  GEORGE  E.   RANDOLPH. 

Enrolled  as   Sergeant  Battery  A  ;    Second  Lieutenant  Battery  A  ;   First  Lieu 
tenant  Battery  C;  Captain  Battery  E;  Chief  of  Artillery  Third 
Corps  ;   Brevet-Major ;   Lieutenant-Colonel ;   Colonel. 


1862.]  BEFOKE    YORKTOWN  75 

supported  by  the  Fifteenth  Massachusetts,  and  spent  a 
pleasant  evening  with  the  boys  of  the  infantry.  Navin  am 
Griffin  filled  them  up  with  their  wonderful  yarns. 

At  daylight  of  the  29th  we  took  position  in  Battery  No.  8, 
and  were  supported  by  Andre\vs's  sharpshooters  from 
Massachusetts,  who  were  equipped  with  telescope  rifles. 
The  rebs  kept  up  quite  a  steady  fire  all  day,  the  sharpshoot 
ers  doing  most  of  it.  We  fell  back  in  reserve  as  usual  in 
the  evening. 

We  were  relieved  on  the  30th  by  Battery  B  and  returned 
to  camp  and  enjoyed  ourselves  by  trying  to  see  who  could 
tell  the  biggest  yarn.  The  camp  was  filled  with  the  pleas 
ant  odor  of  peach  blossoms. 

May  1st  another  detail  went  to  Shipping  Point.  I  was 
among  the  number.  We  put  up  at  night  at  a  log  cabin 
made  by  the  rebels,  a  curious  affair  enough,  with  a  large 
fire  in  the  centre,  the  smoke  going  out  at  the  top  of  the 
building.  It  made  pleasant  quarters,  however,  sleeping 
around  the  fire  with  feet  toward  it.  We  got  started  home 
ward  early  the  next  morning  and  hearing  heavy  firing  all 
day  as  we  traveled,  supposed  the  battery  was  having  a  hot 
time  of  it,  but  when  we  arrived  at  camp  we  found  all  was 
peaceful  there.  Brought  up  a  good  lot  of  rations  and  grain 
and  had  a  pleasant  evening. 

On  the  3d  reports  were  circulated  that  the  rebels  were 
evacuating  Yorktown.  They  kept  up  a  heavy  fire  all  day, 
while  we  remained  in  camp  every  moment  expecting  orders. 

The  enemy  deserted  their  entrenchments  on  Sunday,  the 
4th,  and  Stoneman's  cavalry  with  Smith's  division  of  the 
Fourth  Corps  started  in  pursuit.  We  heard  that  they  left 
their  siege  guns  behind.  Now  our  whole  army  was  ready 
and  expected  to  move  at  any  moment. 

We  marched  on  the  morning  of  the  5th  in  a  heavy  rain, 
the  first  in  some  days,  out  in  front  of  the  rebel  works,  where 
torpedoes  were  planted  in  every  direction,  and  everyone 


76  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [May, 

fearful  lest  they  might  explode  as  we  passed  over  them.  A 
number  of  them  did,  killing  and  wounding  several  men  of 
other  commands.  It  was  very  tiresome  as  we  stood  there 
until  near  noon  before  we  entered  the  town.  As  we  went 
in  one  of  our  wheels  ran  over  and  scraped  the  dirt  from  a 
torpedo,  but  luckily  it  did  not  explode.  When  taken  out 
it  looked  like  a  twelve-pound  shell.  A  heavy  battle  was  go 
ing  on  at  Williamsburg,  twelve  miles  from  Yorktown. 
Sedgwick's  division  was  ordered  on  board  vessels  to  go  up 
the  York  River,  but  later  this  was  changed  to  an  order  to 
proceed  to  Williamsburg.  We  arrived  just  about  the  time 
that  Hancock  made  his  charge  across  Cub  Dam  Creek,  with 
a  brigade  of  Smith's  division.  Hancock  led  his  line  for 
ward  on  a  charge  which  broke  Early's  brigade  and  drove 
it  back  in  confusion.  It  was  said  that  when  Hancock  gave 
the  order,  he  said,  "Charge,  gentlemen!  Charge!" 

It  was  a  grand  charge,  through  obstructions  of  fallen 
trees,  with  limbs  sharpened  and  the  sharp  points  protrud 
ing  outwards.  Our  division  was  not  engaged.  On  our  re 
turn  we  halted  by  the  roadside,  and,  about  two  o'clock, 
returned  to  Yorktown,  near  the  river.  It  was  a  very  cold, 
disagreeable  night,  raining  very  hard,  and  men  and  horses 
suffered  severely  all  night  long.  None  of  our  corps  were 
engaged.  General  Sumner  of  our  corps  was  in  command 
of  all  the  troops  in  action.  We  moved  nearer  the  river,  but 
had  to  wait  for  Franklin's  division,  with  which  Dana's  brig 
ade  of  our  division  had  gone.  We  remained  there  loading 
ammunition  until  nightfall.  Our  horses  were  loaded  on  the 
schooner,  the  guns  on  board  the  steamer  Delaware. 

On  the  7th  the  Delaware  with  our  battery  left  for  up  the 
river  and  our  schooner  was  taken  in  tow  by  a  steamer 
loaded  with  troops.  This  was  one  of  the  pleasantest  trips 
imaginable  as  we  sailed  up  this  beautiful  river,  and  a  de 
cided  change  from  muddy,  disagreeable  Yorktown.  Oys 
ters  and  quahaugs  were  very  plentiful,  but  we  were  unable 
to  stop  long  enough  to  get  any. 


1862.]  YORK   RIVER  77 

The  day  of  the  8th  found  us  still  sailing  up  the  York 
River,  and  the  country  through  which  we  passed  appeared 
very  beautiful  to  our  eyes.  Fine  and  spacious  mansions 
on  either  bank  came  continually  in  viewr.  Heavy  firing  was 
heard  throughout  the  day.  We  arrived  near  Little  West 
Point  before  dark,  and  dropped  anchor  for  the  night.  Two 
gunboats  were  lying  here,  and  it  was  the  firing  of  their 
guns  that  we  heard.  Franklin's  division  had  had  an  en 
gagement  with  the  rebels'  rear  guard  there  Wednesday, 
with  Dana's  brigade  of  our  division  in  support.  The  gun 
boats  had  made  sad  havoc  with  the  limbs  of  the  trees  along 
the  banks  of  the  river. 

On  the  9th  we  were  still  on  board  the  schooner  at  West 
Point.  Everybody  was  anxious  to  get  ashore,  but  we 
waited  to  be  taken  in  nearer  shore  so  that  the  horses  could 
be  unloaded.  We  found  it  tiresome  enough  lying  there  all 
day. 

The  next  day  we  were  taken  ashore  much  to  our  relief, 
the  horses  lowered  overboard  as  at  Shipping  Point.  We 
went  to  the  guns,  hitched  on  and  marched  about  two  miles, 
and  camped  at  a  place  called  Elkhorn,  on  the  Pamunky 
River.  Captain  Arnold  of  the  regulars  had  charge  of 
the  unloading. 

Sunday,  the  llth,  was  quite  warm.  General  McClellan 
arrived  during  the  day,  bringing  news  of  destruction  of  the 
Merrimac.  Magnolias  were  in  full  bloom. 

Another  warm  day  on  the  12th.  We  had  a  division  in 
spection  that  day.  At  this  time  no  one  could  tell  what  our 
next  move  was  to  be  or  in  what  direction.  All  was  uncer 
tainty. 

The  same  condition  of  affairs  prevailed  on  the  13th.  The 
daily  drill  was  our  only  occupation.  The  warm  weather 
continued  and  so  did  the  rumors  as  to  our  destination. 

We  were  at  last  called  out,  early  on  the  morning  of  the 
15th,  marched  about  fifteen  miles  and  went  into  camp  at 


78  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [May, 

N>w  Kent  Court  House.  It  was  quite  warm  and  the  in 
fantry  straggled  badly,  especially  one  regiment  called  the 
Baxter's  Zouaves. 

We  remained  in  camp  through  the  16th.  It  was  called 
Camp  Stumps  by  some  of  the  boys. 

It  was  at  this  camp  that  a  difficulty  arose  between  Ser 
geant  Budlong  and  Patrick  Donnegan.  It  commenced 
over  a  claim  of  a  bridle.  The  sergeant  had  possession  of 
the  bridle  and  stated  that  it  was  his  and  that  Donnegan  had 
taken  it  claiming  that  it  was  a  bridle  which  he  had  used  on 
the  horse  of  Lieut.  John  G.  Hazard.  Donnegan  had  been 
detailed  to  take  care  of  Lieutenant  Hazard's  horses.  The 
lieutenant  commanded  the  sergeant  to  give  up  the  bridle. 
The  latter  refused  to  do  so,  and  some  sharp  words  passed 
between  them.  Lieutenant  Hazard  ordered  the  guard  to 
buck  and  gag  Budlong  and  reduce  him  to  the  ranks.  To 
degrade  a  sergeant  in  such  a  manner  was  something  un 
known  and  contrary  to  Army  Regulations,  and  was  so 
stated  by  the  president  of  the  court-martial,  Colonel  Sur 
rey,  who  was  a  graduate  of  West  Point.  He  never  received 
any  redress  for  this  punishment. 

We  got  under  way  on  the  18th,  and  marched  two  miles 
and  went  into  camp  with  every  kind  of  a  rumor  that  was 
ever  heard  of  about  what  was  to  be  done  next,  and  when 
we  were  going  to  move.  It  grew  monotonous. 

On  the  19th  there  was  some  little  excitement,  as  firing- 
was  heard  a  number  of  times,  though  sounding  a  long  way 
off,  and  in  advance  of  us.  Our  corps,  the  Second,  under 
"Daddy  Simmer,"  as  the  boys  dubbed  him,  was  in  reserve. 

On  the  20th  we  exchanged  visits  with  Battery  B,  the 
Fifteenth  Massachusetts  and  First  Minnesota.  All  were 
tired  of  creeping  along  as  we  had  been  doing,  and  they  were 
Crumbling  about  it  as  well  as  the  men  of  our  battery.  The 
horses  appeared  to  stand  it  very  well. 

We  marched  again  on  the  21st  about  six  A.  M.,  and  passed 


1862.]       NEAE  NEW  KENT  COURT  HOUSE  79 

by  McClellan's  headquarters  at  the  Savage  house  at  Balti 
more  Cross  Roads.  St.  Peter's  Church  stands  there  where 
Washington  was  married  to  Mrs.  Custis.  We  halted  and 
entered  the  church.  One  of  the  boys  came  near  getting  into 
trouble.  He  was  cutting  a  piece  off  the  pulpit  fringe  for 
a  souvenir,  when  a  guard  spied  him  and  went  for  him  with 
a  bayonet.  Marching  on  again  we  went  into  camp  in  the 
afternoon  near  Bottom's  Bridge. 

The  22d  was  a  dull  day.  In  the  middle  of  the  afternoon 
a  strange  coincidence  took  place.  Lieut.  Charles  F.  Ma 
son's  father,  Mr.  Earl  P.  Mason,  and  Mr.  Slater,  of  Provi 
dence,  R.  I.,  and  Colonel  Dudley,  of  New  York,  were  visit 
ing  us  and  had  brought  with  them  some  wine;  and,  as  the 
case  was  about  to  be  opened,  the  remark  was  made  that  it 
would  be  very  desirable  if  they  could  have  some  ice  to  cool 
a  bottle;  but  before  the  case  was  opened  a  shower  broke 
upon  them  with  great  severity,  and  all  hands  turned  their 
attention  to  the  tent,  which  was  in  danger  of  blowing  down. 
While  holding  up  the  ttent  some  of  the  party  had  their 
knuckles  injured  badly  by  the  hail  which  descended  in  tor 
rents.  In  twenty  minutes  the  shower  was  over,  and  all 
around  the  tents  large  hailstones  were  to  be  seen  completely 
covering  the  ground.  They  were  from  one  to  three  inches 
in  size.  As  the  weather  was  very  warm  the  men  were  very 
grateful  for  the  supply  of  ice  so  providentially  furnished. 
It  is  needless  to  say  that  our  officers  and  their  guests  had 
a  cool  bottle  of  wine. 

On  the  23d  we  marched  up  the  Chickahominy  River,  over 
the  railroad  in  the  vicinity  of  a  new  bridge  just  built,  called 
the  Grapevine  Bridge,  and  not  far  from  Cold  Harbor. 
Here  we  were  stationed  in  support  of  either  wing  of  tiie 
army.  It  was  very  wet  and  muddy ;  we  heard  firing  to  the 
right  and  front  of  us,  up  the  river. 

Quiet  on  the  24th,  with  rumors  flying  thick.  We  had 
great  sport  in  the  afternoon.  General  Meagher  gave  prizes 


80  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    J.    LKJHT    ARTILLERY      [May, 

to  the  soldiers  for  horse  races,  foot  races,  and  all  kinds  of 
athletic  games,  winding  up  with  a  mule  race,  the  last  mule 
in  to  win.  It  was  great  sport,  but  very  rough  on  the  mules, 
as  each  man  with  a  long  black  snake-whip  tried  to  force  his 
opponent  in  first,  and  the  whip  was  put  on  to  both  men  and 
mules.  Some  mules  and  their  riders  were  sights  to  behold 
after  the  race. 

Nothing  occurred  on  the  25th  till  about  five  o'clock,  when 
a  sharp  fight  on  the  right  took  place.  Stoneman's  cavalry 
had  it  quite  sharp,  Franklin's  corps  going  to  their  support, 
but  all  became  quiet  in  the  evening. 

More  excitement  on  the  26th  as  we  got  orders  to  be  ready 
to  march.  Everything  was  packed  in  marching  order,  but 
we  did  not  go,  and  remained  in  suspense  until  evening, 
then  unhitched,  and  the  usual  rumors  went  the  rounds  of 
the  camp. 

On  the  next  day  there  was  great  excitement  among  the 
troops  of  our  corps.  We  learned  that  Franklin's  corps  and 
Stoueman's  cavalry  had  had  a  very  spirited  engagement, 
and  we  expected  orders  to  move  at  any  moment,  but  none 
were  received.  Such  periods  of  inactivity  and  waiting 
seemed  worse  than  fighting,  and  kept  us  in  an  unsettled  and 
expectant  frame  of  mind. 

Our  division  (Sedgwick's),  received  orders  on  the  28th, 
and  marched  to  the  right  of  the  line  toward  New  Bridge, 
and  went  into  line  of  battle  in  support  of  Franklin's  corps. 
They  remained  there  all  day,  and  lay  in  line  of  battle  all 
night. 

On  the  29th  our  division  returned  from  New  Bridge,  and 
arrived  in  camp  about  four  o'clock.  There  were  between 
seven  and  eight  hundred  prisoners  and  two  guns  captured. 

Everything  quiet  again  on  the  30th.  A  very  heavy  storm 
prevailed  in  the  afternoon;  some  of  the  tents  were  flooded, 
and  the  men  of  the  battery  had  a  hard  time  to  keep  the 
water  out.  I  was  on  guard  at  the  picket  line  wTith  the 
horses  who  were  verv  uneasv- 


1862.]  FAII:  OAKS  81 

CHAPTER  V 

FROM  FAIR  OAKS  TO  HARRISON'S  LANDING 

r  I  ^HE  81st  day  of  May  was  the  Avorst,  it  seemed  to  us, 
that  we  had  experienced  since  the  war  began.  We 
had  at  the  close  of  that  day  lost  as  many,  if  not 
more  than  we  had  at  Bull  Run.  About  one  o'clock  the 
enemy  suddenly  attacked  and  surprised  Casey's  division, 
some  of  the  men  being  shot  while  lying  in  their  tents. 
Couch's  division  of  the  same  corps  (Keyes  or  Fourth),  was 
on  the  left  of  Casey,  and,  in  the  stampede  that  followed, 
he,  with  consummate  skill  and  bravery,  held  the  enemy  in 
check,  but  kept  falling  back  until  our  division,  the  Second, 
of  the  Second  Corps,  under  Sedgwick,  crossed  the  river, 
knee-deep  in  water,  on  the  new  bridge,  the  Grapevine,  and 
checked  the  enemy.  General  Couch,  in  his  official  report 
of  this  battle,  pays  this  deserving  tribute  to  General 
Sumner,  saying:  "Soon  Captain  Van  Ness  brought  me 
word  that  General  Sumner  was  at  hand.  Upon  receiving 
the  information  word  was  sent  to  Generals  Heintzelnian  and 
Keyes  that  my  position  would  be  held  until  Sumner  ar 
rived.  This  noble  soldier  came  on  rapidly  with  Sedgwick's 
division,  and,  when  the  head  of  his  column  was  seen  half 
a  mile  distant,  I  felt  that  God  was  with  us  and  victory 
ours." 

General  Kichardson,  the  First  Division  commander, 
crossed  two  of  his  brigades  over  on  Grapevine  bridge 
(a  part  of  the  bridge  opposite  their  position  having  been 
swept  away),  the  other  brigade  of  his  division  was  obliged 
to  wade  nearly  to  their  middles  in  water,  and,  of  course, 
followed  but  slowly.  It  was  a  great  miracle  that  the  Grape 
vine  bridge  held  together  as  it  did. 

6 


82  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [May, 

Heintzelraan,  commanding  the  Third  Corps,  was  over 
the  river  with  Keyes's  corps  in  support,  but  for  some  un 
known  reason  he  did  not  come  up.  The  country  was  so 
wooded  that  artillery  was  not  used  much,  and,  for  that 
reason  the  artillery  of  our  corps  was  kept  back  until  the 
First  Division  had  crossed.  Battery  I,  United  States  Ar 
tillery,  Lieutenant  Kirby,  went  across  with  the  First  Divi 
sion,  as  he  had  Napoleon  guns.  It  was  difficult  for  them 
to  cross,  however,  but  they  managed  to  cross  over  with  the 
assistance  of  the  infantry  and  then  went  into  action.  Our 
battery  followed  Kirby's  across  the  bridge,  but  then  it  was 
under  water  so  that  our  guns  were  hub-deep  in  the  middle 
of  the  river.  It  was  almost  impassable  for  the  horses.  It 
was  about  the  hardest  experience  I  ever  had  as  a  driver  dur 
ing  the  whole  of  my  army  experience.  We  finally  succeeded 
in  crossing,  and  started  with  our  First  Brigade  for  the 
battlefield,  the  First  Minnesota  leading,  marching  with  that 
well  known  western  swing,  and  was  the  first  to  reach  the 
field,  and  not  a  moment  too  soon.  As  the  head  of  the  col 
umn  emerged  from  the  belt  of  timber,  a  low  ridge  was  seen 
which  crossed  the  road  at  right  angles,  and  upon  which  the 
four  regiments  of  Couch's  division  with  Brady's  battery 
were  massed.  The  men  of  our  brigade,  the  veterans  of  Bull 
Run  and  Ball's  Bluff,  had  expected  to  come  upon  a  line  of 
men  reeling  under  the  shock  of  a  furious  charge.  On  the 
contrary,  Couch's  men  stood  there  calm,  serene,  and  brave. 
Not  a  puff  of  smoke  was  visible.  It  was,  however,  but  the 
stillness  that  precedes  the  tempest.  It  was  no  time  for 
speculation  or  inaction.  Colonel  Sully  with  his  regiment 
was  sent  to  the  right  of  the  line  near  the  Courtney  house, 
where  he  was  ordered  to  take  position,  and  none  too  soon, 
for,  in  an  instant,  from  the  woods  close  in  his  front,  ap 
peared  a  heavy  column  in  gray,  the  advance  of  Gen.  Gus- 
tavus  W.  Smith's  forces.  The  Minnesota  regiment  to  a 
man  immediately  commenced  firing  on  the  first  appearance 


ft* 

r 


pq 


1862.]  FAIR    OAKS  83 

of  the  enemy.  The  rebels  seemed  to  be  completely  sur 
prised  at  finding  Bully's  men  in  that  position,  and  the  ter 
rific  volleys  they  encountered  caused  them  to  halt  and 
break  to  the  woods,  and  reform  for  the  coining  assault.  As 
soon  as  General  Couch  caught  sight  of  the  Second  Corps 
coming  up  he  began  to  deploy  his  troops  for  action.  Kirby 
with  his  battery  took  position  on  the  right  of  Brady's;  the 
Sixty-second  and  Eighty-fifth  New  York  and  First  Chas 
seurs  of  Couch's  command  moved  to  the  right  and  connected 
with  Sully's,  the  space  on  the  left  of  the  road  being  taken 
by  the  other  regiments  of  Gorman's  brigade.  The  Fifteenth 
Massachusetts,  Colonel  Kimball;  the  Thirty-fourth  New 
York,  Colonel  Suiter,  and  the  Eighty-second  New  York, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Hudson,  were  quickly  in  line  on  the 
left  and  with  rousing  cheers  prepared  for  action.  Their 
cheering  had  hardly  ceased  before  a  heavy  column  under 
the  Confederate  general,  Whiting,  broke  from  the  woods 
near  the  railroad  and  endeavored  to  flank  Keyes,  but  they 
were  too  late,  as  Sedgwick  had  arrived  and  the  scene  had 
changed.  Between  Whiting  on  the  Confederate  right  and 
Hampton  on  their  left,  Pettigrew's  brigade  was  in  front  in 
the  woods.  Hatton  was  in  support  of  Hampton,  and  Hood 
halted  across  the  Nine  Mile  Road  in  support  of  Whiting. 
But  they  also  were  too  late.  If  they  had  arrived  a  few 
minutes  sooner  it  is  difficult  to  conjecture  what  might  have 
been  the  result.  Scarcely  had  Sedgwick's  division  been 
posted  with  Couch's  forces  when  the  storm  of  battle  burst 
Avith  great  fury.  About  one-half  of  the  ground  nearly  to 
the  railroad  was  open,  which  Couch  had  left  an  hour  be 
fore.  At  this  point  Lieutenant  Fagan,  with  two  guns  of 
Brady's  battery,  and  Kirby's  three,  all  that  had  come  up 
from  the  river,  were  ready  to  sweep  the  field.  In  support 
of  the  artillery  were  Ricker's  Sixty-second  New  York  and 
Russell's  Seventh  Massachusetts.  On  the  right  along  the 
edge  of  scrubby  woods  forming  the  centre,  and  in  front  of 


84  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [May, 

Colonel  Williams's  Eighty-second  Pennsylvania  and  Coch- 
rane's  Sixty-fifth  New  York,  both  of  Couch's  division,  a  few 
rails  had  been  thrown  down  for  a  cover;  not  very  high, 
but  forming  a  slight  protection  for  our  men.  Against  this 
feeble  breastwork  the  Confederates  made  a  most  desperate 
charge.  On  the  right  of  the  Union  regiments  just  men 
tioned,  the  First  Minnesota  with  Burns's  Pennsylvania 
brigade  comprising  the  Sixty-ninth,  Seventy-first,  Seventy- 
second,  and  One  Hundred  and  Sixth  Pennsylvania  regi 
ments  were  placed  in  support.  They  were  not  quite  up 
when  the  storm  of  battle  broke  upon  them.  The  enemy's 
attack  was  along  the  line,  but  the  fiercest  fighting  was  on 
the  centre,  w^here  Williams's  and  Cochrane's  men  were  ly 
ing  behind  the  improvised  breastwork  of  rails  in  the  edge 
of  the  woods.  The  Confederates  then  took  a  turn  to  the 
right  across  the  Fair  Oaks  road  and  appeared  in  force 
from  the  woods  with  the  apparent  purpose  of  capturing 
Kirby's  and  Fagan's  guns.  They  then  made  an  effort  to 
take  the  position  on  open  ground  on  the  right  near  the 
Courtney  house,  which  was  held  by  Sully. 

At  this  stage  of  affairs  our  battery,  after  what  might  be 
termed  swimming  the  river,  came  upon  the  field.  I  shall 
never  forget  the  scene  presented  to  our  view.  General  Gor 
man's  brigade  was  fighting  in  a  grove  of  scrubby  white 
oaks  to  the  right  of  the  road.  Our  section,  under  Lieuten 
ant  Newton,  w^as  sent  to  the  right  in  support  of  Sully,  and 
went  into  battery  about  half  way  between  the  Adams  house 
and  the  Courtney  house.  The  other  two  sections  of  our 
battery  turned  to  the  right  of  the  road  towards  the  Court 
ney  house,  and  went  into  position  in  rear  of  Williams's 
and  Cochrane's  regiments  in  the  centre.  The  line  of  battle 
from  Courtney  house  and  around  the  Adams  house  was  a 
little  over  five  hundred  yards  and  was  held  by  Sedgwick's 
division  and  Couch's  brigade.  The  battle  was  now  general 
along  the  line,  the  enemy  making  a  bold  dash  on  Kirby's 


1862.]  FAIR    OAKS  85 

and  Fagan's  guns  by  crossing  the  road  in  plain  sight  and 
forming  in  line  by  brigades,  our  men  believing  that  they 
were  a  part  of  Heintzelman's  troops  which  had  turned  back 
upon  finding  Fair  Oaks  occupied  by  the  enemy.  Thiey 
soon  found  out  their  mistake  and  Kirby's  guns  opened  on 
the  Confederates  and  soon  forced  the  enemy  to  retire  to 
the  woods.  Hampton  (Confederate)  already  in  position, 
pushed  his  brigade  forward  close  up  to  the  Eighty-second 
Pennsylvania  and  Sixty-fifth  New  York,  with  the  intention 
of  breaking  out  on  Kirby's  right  and  taking. his  guns  by 
flank.  Hampton  was  then  met  by  a  terrific  fire  from  these 
two  regiments  behind  the  rail  breastwork.  In  this  des 
perate  assault  which  was  continued  with  slight  intervals 
for  an  hour  and  a  half,  Hampton  was  joined  by  Fettigrew, 
while  Hatton  Avent  in  as  soon  as  he  could  be  brought  up  to 
re-enforce  the  attack  on  Sully  across  the  open  ground  at 
the  Courtney  house.  Whiting's  brigade  closed  in  to  the 
support  of  Hampton,  Fettigrew  and  Hatton  meeting  with 
great  loss,  while  Hood  remained  farther  back  at  the  rail 
road.  On  the  second  charge  of  the  enemy  on  the  centre, 
another  bold  attempt  was  made  to  carry  our  guns.  Kirby's 
and  Fagan's  cannoneers  opened  on  them  with  double  can 
ister,  and,  for  a  few  minutes,  the  Sixty-second  New  York, 
which  was  in  support  of  the  battery,  wavered.  Their  Col 
onel  (Ricker)  dashed  to  the  front,  setting  an  example  of 
bravery,  and  falling  dead  near  the  Avoods.  General  Couch 
in  person  brought  up  the  companies  that  had  faltered  and 
restored  the  line.  Some  Confederates  were  killed  within  fif 
teen  yards  of  our  guns,  and  fell  back  before  the  discharges 
of  our  canister  and  the  fire  of  our  musketry,  but  the  main 
body  still  held  the  road,  and,  from  behind  stumps  and  trees, 
maintained  their  fire  upon  our  troops.  Kirby's  guns  sank 
nearly  to  their  axles  in  the  mud.  Meanwhile,  Sully's  First 
Minnesota  had  repelled  the  attacks  of  Hatton  on  the  right, 
and  Williams's  and  Cochrane's  men  had  again  beaten  back 


86  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [May, 

the  charge  made  upon  them  at  their  slight  breastwork  of 
rails.  Kirby  now  tried  to  advance  his  pieces,  but  the 
wheels  sank  so  deeply  in  the  mud  that  only  two  could  be 
pushed  forward,  and  those  only  with  the  assistance  of 
details  from  the  Fifteenth  Massachusetts.  This  regiment 
had  also  done  excellent  service  in  supporting  Kirby's  guns 
during  the  repeated  charges  of  the  enemy. 

The  time  had  now  arrived  for  aggressive  action  on  Sum- 
ner's  part.  Burns's  Pennsylvania  brigade  was  now  all  up. 
The  Seventy-second  and  One  Hundred  and  Sixth  were  or 
dered  to  the  Adams  house  as  reserve.  The  Twentieth  Mas 
sachusetts  and  Seventh  Michigan  of  Dana's  brigade  had 
also  arrived,  the  other  two  regiments  of  his  brigade  having 
been  left  behind,  the  Nineteenth  Massachusetts  on  picket, 
and  the  Forty-second  Xew  York  to  protect  and  assist  the 
artillery  over  the  river.  With  these  troops  in  hand  Gen 
eral  Sumner  then  sent  General  Sedgwick  to  the  right  to 
command  the  troops  under  Sully  and  Burns,  with  Couch  in 
the  centre  and  he  himself  taking  charge  of  the  left.  On 
the  extreme  left  beyond  the  Adams  house,  he  formed  line 
of  battle  which  was  thrown  forward  directly  to  the  front 
and  at  right  angles  to  that  formed  by  Couch  and  Sully. 
For  this  purpose  he  ordered  up  the  Thirty-fourth  and 
Eighty-second  XCAV  York  and  Fifteenth  Massachusetts  of 
Gorman's  brigade,  and  the  Seventh  Michigan  and  Twen 
tieth  Massachusetts  of  Dana's.  As  soon  as  the  line  was 
formed  the  order  to  charge  was  given.  Our  men  advanced 
firing,  but  Avhen  within  fifty  yards  of  the  enemy  fixed  bayo 
nets,  the  five  regiments  broke  into  a  cheer  and  rushed  for 
ward.  The  enemy  who  had  three  of  their  large  brigades 
massed  in  the  woods,  the  whole  edge  of  which  was  covered 
by  three  or  four  regiments,  had  suffered  severely  by  cross 
fires  to  which  they  had  been  for  an  hour  and  a  half  sub 
jected.  One  thousand  one  hundred  and  seventy-four  of 
their  men  had  fallen  either  killed  or  wounded,  including 


1862.]  FAIR    OAKS  87 

three  generals.  Hatton  had  been  killed,  Petti  grew 
wounded  and  taken  prisoner,  and  Hampton  badly  wounded, 
vet  he  still  kept  in  the  saddle.  The  charge  made  by  Gor 
man's  and  Dana's  men  was  too  much  for  the  Confederates 
and  they  gave  way.  Three  field  officers,  with  a  hundred  men 
and  two  colors  were  brought  in.  This  battle  was  called  by 
the  Federals  Fair  Oaks,  but  better  known  to  the  Confed 
erates  as  Seven  Pines.  No  language  can  exaggerate  the 
heroism  displayed  by  the  Second  Corps,  from  its  noble  old 
commander,  Gen.  Edwin  V.  Sumner,  to  the  lowest  private 
in  the  ranks;  overcoming  the  difficulties  which  beset  them 
at  every  step ;  taking  their  lives  in  their  hands  as  it  seemed 
to  them  when  they '  put  foot  upon  that  perilous  bridge, 
which  settled  until  they  were  knee-deep  in  water ;  the  forced 
march  from  the  bridge  to  Fair  Oaks,  then  to  encounter  a 
superior  force  of  the  enemy  in  what  was  the  first  battle  to 
all,  with  the  exception  of  three  regiments.  General  Sum- 
ner  with  the  Second  Corps  had  saved  the  day,  but  the  credit 
for  that  brilliant  and  heroic  action  on  the  right  must  be 
shared  between  the  men  of  Sumner  and  Couch.  Darkness 
ended  the  fighting.  The  forces  under  Sumner  and  Couch 
consisted  of  nine  regiments  and  seven  pieces  of  artillery, 
six  regiments  of  Sumner's  and  three  of  Couch's.  One  of 
his  regiments,  the  Seventh  Massachusetts,  had  been  sent  to 
the  left  to  open  communication,  if  possible,  with  the  troops 
at  Seven  Pines,  The  nine  regiments  had  lost  about  four 
hundred  men.  At  and  near  Fair  Oaks  Station  were  the 
brigades  of  Hood's  Texans,  Griffith's  Mississippians,  and 
Sernmes's  mixed  brigade  from  the  left,  having  been  called 
up  to  support  the  brigades  which  had  been  so  roughly  han 
dled  in  the  afternoon.  Gen.  Gustavus  W.  Smith  in  his  re 
port  of  the  battle  says:  "If  daylight  had  lasted  one  short 
hour  longer,  the  Confederates,  thus  re-enforced,  would  have 
driven  the  eneni}'  (Sumner  and  Couch)  into  the  Chicka 
hominy,"  while  on  the  other  hand,  Generals  Sumner,  Couch, 


88  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [May, 

Sedgwick,  and  Richardson,  were  confident  of  the  most  de 
cided  victory  could  they  have  had  two  hours  more  of  day 
light.  It  would  seem,  according  to  the  list  of  killed  and 
wounded  on  both  sides,  that  if  there  had  been  two  hours 
or  more  of  daylight  the  Confederate  army  would  have  been 
annihilated.  By  nine  o'clock  of  that  evening  Summer  had 
twenty-three  regiments  against  the  nine  which  had  been 
actually  engaged  with  the  enemy. 

The  night  of  the  31st  of  May  was  an  especially  severe  one 
for  the  Second  Corps,  wet  as  they  were  from  fording  the 
Chickahominy,  then  engaging  the  enemy  and  afterwards 
holding  their  ground,  surrounded  as  they  were  by  the  dead, 
dying  and  wounded,  with  mud  nearly  ankle-deep,  it  surely 
was  a  trying  night  for  all  of  us.  As  soon  as  Richardson's 
troops  arrived  they  were  assigned  positions  in  the  follow 
ing  order:  General  Burns  with  the  Seventy-first  Pennsyl 
vania  of  his  own  brigade  was  sent  to  the  right,  near  the 
river  at  what  was  called  Golding's,  to  take  command  of  the 
Nineteenth  Massachusetts  and  Forty-second  New  York,  of 
Dana's  brigade ;  and  the  Sixty-third  New  York,  of  Meagher's 
brigade,  of  Richardson's  division,  to  protect  the  right  and 
rear.  The  remaining  troops  of  Sedgwick's  division  were 
in  advance  of  this  force  during  the  afternoon  from  the 
Courtney  house  to  the  Adams  house.  Our  battery  was  at 
the  Courtney  house  with  two  sections  of  Battery  B,  First 
Rhode  Island  Light  Artillery,  Captain  Bartlett,  to  the  right 
and  on  the  same  line,  with  one  section  of  Owen's  Battery  G, 
of  the  same  regiment,  in  reserve  at  the  Adams  house. 
Owen's  other  two  sections  were  with  General  Burns  at 
Golding's.  The  remaining  section  of  B  was  sent  to  near 
Fair  Oaks  Station,  where  it  had  quite  a  lively  engagement 
with  the  enemy  during  the  next  day's  battle.  Col.  Charles 
H.  Tompkins  had  charge  of  the  artillery  of  the  Second  Divi 
sion.  The  First  Minnesota,  Fifteenth  Massachusetts, 
Thirty-fourth  and  Eighty-second  New  York,  of  Gorman's 


1862.]  FAIR    OAKS  89 

brigade;  the  Seventy-first,  Seventy-second,  and  One  Hun 
dred  and  Sixth  Pennsylvania,  of  Burns's,  and  Twentieth 
Massachusetts,  of  Dana's  were  under  Dana's  command. 
Richardson's  division  had  been  placed  to  the  left  of  the 
Adams  house.  French's  brigade  Avas  along  the  railroad, 
next  to  Birney's  brigade  of  the  Third  Corps,  and  upon  the 
left;  the  Fifth  New  Hampshire,  of  Howard's  brigade  was 
placed  in  front  of  French.  The  Sixty-first  and  Sixty-fourth 
New  York  and  Eighty-first  Pennsylvania,  of  Howard's  brig 
ade  formed  the  second  line;  Meagher's  brigade,  less  the 
Sixty-third  Xew  York  at  Golding's,  was  in  the  third  line; 
Pettit's  Battery  B,  New  York,  getting  up  from  the  river  in 
the  night  was  located  on  the  line  running  north  from 
Fair  Oaks  Station,  to  cover  the  broad  space  of  open  ground 
extending  west  by  south  for  about  one  thousand  yards. 
Frank's  battery  G,  First  New  York  Artillery  was  put  in 
position  in  the  rear  and  left  to  protect  against  the  enemy  in 
case  he  should  advance  from  the  woods  on  the  south  of  the 
railroad.  Captain  Hazzard's  batteries  A  and  C,  Fourth 
United  States  Artillery,  with  Hogan's  battery,  A,  of  New 
Y^ork,  was  in  reserve.  Richardson's  line  extended  across 
the  railroad.  An  opening  between  Richardson  and  Birney 
was  filled  by  Colonel  Miller's  Eighty-first  Pennsylvania  of 
Howard's  brigade. 

The  morning  of  June  1,  1862,  found  our  battery  in  front 
of  the  Courtney  house,  and,  as  already  stated,  four  guns  of 
Battery  B,  Rhode  Island,  under  Captain  Bartlett  on  our 
left  with  the  First  Minnesota  in  support.  At  6.30  A.  M., 
while  Richardson  was  straightening  his  line  and  the  Fifth 
New  Hampshire  was  being  taken  from  t  e  front,  the  battle 
broke  out  with  great  fury,  and,  to  the  present  day,  it  has 
never  been  decided  who  began  the  attack.  Generals  John 
ston  and  Longstreet  in  their  reports  say  their  positions 
were  attacked.  Picket!  in  his  official  report  says  he  was 
ordered  by  Gen.  D.  H.  Hill  to  attack,  while  Hill  himself 


90  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Julie, 

says  he  was  in  the  act  of  withdrawing  the  brigades  of  Pick- 
ett,  Prior  and  Wilcox,  when  a  furious  attack  was  made 
on  Armistead's  and  the  above  mentioned  brigades;  while 
McClellan,  Suniner,  Sedgwick,  Heintzelman,  and  Richard 
son,  alike  speak  of  the  enemy  beginning  the  attack;  and 
it  appears  that  General  Hill  commanding  that  part  of  the 
field  did  not  attack,  and  was  in  the  act  of  withdrawing  his 
troops  when  the  attack  was  made.  Whoever  made  the  at 
tack  it  was  furious.  French's  brigade  was  immediately 
engaged,  his  soldiers  fighting  with  a  valor  worthy  of  vet 
erans.  The  Fifty-second  New  York  by  a  flank  movement 
of  the  enemy  lost  in  a  few  moments  one  hundred  and  twenty 
men.  On  their  right  Zook  was  fiercely  attacked  in  front 
but  stood  his  ground  with  the  Fifty-seventh  New  York,  sup 
ported  by  Pinckney  with  the  Sixty-sixth  New  York.  Col 
onel  Miller,  of  the  Eighty-first  Pennsylvania,  of  Howard's 
brigade,  was  killed  at  the  head  of  his  regiment.  On  the 
left  Col.  John  R.  Brooke,  who  afterwards  became  a  general 
in  our  corps,  led  the  Fifty-third  Pennsylvania,  and  it  was 
their  first  engagement.  This  fierce  musketry  firing  lasted 
for  more  than  an  hour  without  cessation,  extending  to  the 
left  of  the  line,  involving  Hooker's  division  of  the  Third 
Corps,  of  which  Sickles's  brigade  and  the  Fifth  and  Sixth 
New  Jersey  formed  a  part  and  who  were  enthusiastically 
led  into  action  by  Hooker  in  person.  The  range  between 
the  contending  forces  here  was  very  close,  nearly  hand-to- 
hand.  Richardson's  men  were  getting  out  of  ammunition, 
and  Howard  was  ordered  to  relieve  French.  Howard  at 
the  head  of  the  Sixty-first  New  York,  Colonel  Barlow,  com 
manding  (a  mere  boy  and  this  his  first  battle),  who  after 
wards  became  a  general  in  the  Second  Corps,  and  the  Sixty- 
fourth  New  York,  Colonel  Parker,  advanced  up  the  rail 
road  until  he  (Howard)  reached  Brooke,  when  he  went  to 
the  front,  Brooke's  men  being  out  of  ammunition  lying 
down  to  let  them  pass.  Howard  advanced  as  fast  as  the 


1862.]  FAIR    OAKS  91 

tangled  swampy  woods  would  permit,  until  he  had  forced 
the  enemy  back  into  Casey's  old  camp  from  which  he  had 
been  driven  the  day  before.  At  this  point  Howard's  horse 
was  killed  and  himself  severely  wounded,  losing  his  right 
arm.  He  gave  orders  to  Colonel  Barlow  to  hold  his  posi 
tion  until  re-enforced  and  then  ordered  the  command  of 
his  brigade  to  be  turned  over  to  Colonel  Cross,  of  the  Fifth 
New  Hampshire,  but  learning  that  he  was  severeh*  wounded 
he  placed  it  in  charge  of  Colonel  Parker  of  the  Sixty-fourth 
New  York.  Before  General  Howard  went  to  the  front  he 
had  learned  that  Colonel  Miller  had  been  killed,  and  that 
his  regiment,  the  Eighty-first  Pennsylvania,  was  left  with 
out  a  field  officer,  and  had  become  separated  from  the  other 
regiments  of  the  brigade.  He  therefore  directed  his  aid, 
Lieut.  Nelson  A.  Miles,  to  take  command  of  that  regiment 
and  hold  the  open  field  on  the  right  of  the  railroad  against 
an  advance  of  the  enemy.  This  young  officer,  Lieutenant 
Miles,  afterwards  attained  the  rank  of  a  major-general  In 
the  Second  Corps,  and  has  recently  retired  from  the  position 
of  commanding  general  of  the  United  States  Army.  Col 
onel  Barlow  who  had  carried  himself  beyond  support  called 
upon  Brooke  who  had  replenished  his  ammunition  to  bring 
up  his  regiment  upon  our  line,  which  he  did.  This  position 
was  at  Casey's  old  camp.  The  enemy  appeared  to  have  had 
enough  fighting  and  seemed  disposed  to  wait  for  re-enforce 
ments. 

According  to  Union  and  Confederate  reports  in  Volume 
XI  of  the  Rebellion  Records,  Gen.  D.  H.  Hill,  division  com 
mander,  charges  that  Armistead's  men  fled  early  in  the  ac 
tion  with  the  exception  of  a  few  companies,  and  that  Ma- 
•hone  Avithdrew  his  brigade  without  orders,  and  that  when 
he  sent  up  Colston  to  replace  him  he  did  not  engage  our 
forces.  Meanwhile,  on  our  side,  General  Richardson  took 
advantage  of  the  lull  and  sent  in  the  Fifth  New  Hampshire, 
Sixty-ninth  and  Eighty-eighth  New  York  to  relieve  the 


92  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    11.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [June, 

Fifty-second  and  Sixty-first  New  York  and  the  Fifty-third 
Pennsylvania  on  the  front  line.  General  Hooker  on  the 
left  threw  Birney's  brigade  under  Col.  J.  Hobart  Ward,  to 
the  front.  They  had  scarcely  arrived  in  position  when  the 
attacks  were  renewed  with  great  vigor  by  the  brigades  of 
Pickett,  Pryor,  and  Wilcox,  who  fought  with  great  deter 
mination.  The  action  was  now  nearly  over.  Gen.  D.  H. 
Hill  disheartened  with  the  actions  of  Armistead,  Col 
ston,  and  Mahone  withdrew  those  troops.  At  this  time 
the  divisions  of  Richardson  and  Hooker  co-operated  with 
great  unanimity.  The  Excelsior,  Sickles's  brigade,  and  two 
New  Jersey  regiments  under  Hooker  on  the  centre,  Birney's 
brigade  on  the  right;  the  Fifth  New  Hampshire,  Sixty- 
ninth  and  Eighty-eighth  New  York  of  Richardson's  division 
pressed  forward  to  clear  the  ground.  The  Thirty-fourth 
and  Eighty-second  New  York,  of  Sedgwick's  division  were 
sent  in  to  re-enforce  Richardson;  while  on  the  extreme 
flank  General  French  swung  around  the  Fifty-seventh  and 
Sixty-sixth  New  York  under  Colonel  Pinckney,  until  at 
right  angles  to  the  general  line,  and,  leading  them  in  person, 
charged  across  the  front  of  the  other  regiments  of  the  divi 
sion.  At  the  same  time  Pettit  advanced  his  guns  so  as  to 
get  an  enfilading  fire  on  the  enemy,  who  were  still  fighting 
the  Irish  regiments.  This  practically  ended  the  battle. 

On  the  Confederate  side  the  lack  of  co-operation  among 
the  general  officers  was  the  cause  "which  made  their  fighting 
so  ineffectual,  and  was  largely  due  to  the  fact  that  their 
commander-in-chief,  Gen.  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  had  been 
severely  wounded  by  a  fragment  of  a  shell  in  the  battle 
of  the  previous  day.  This,  in  the  writer's  opinion,  was 
more  serious  to  the  Union  cause  than  to  the  Confederates, 
as  it  put  Gen.  Robert  E.  Lee  in  command,  whom  he  con 
siders  the  greatest  general  the  Confederates  possessed.  On 
the  Union  side  there  was  equal  lack  of  co-operation.  The 
intelligence  and  supreme  authority  which  should  have  char- 


1862.]  FAIR    OAKS  93 

acterized  and  ruled  the  actions  of  its  commander-in-chief, 
and  moved  him  to  push  success  to  its  utmost  possibilities 
did  not  appear. 

To  the  troops  engaged  the  actions  of  May  31st  and  June 
1st,  were  highly  creditable.  Richardson's  division,  for  the 
first  time  in  battle,  displayed  under  trying  conditions  cour 
age  and- endurance  to  a  marked  degree;  and  their  capacity 
for  free  and  ready  movements  to  the  front,  to  the  rear,  or  to 
the  flank,  in  accordance  with  orders,  showed  the  distin 
guishing  characteristics  of  volunteers.  There  were  no  reg 
ulars  here  to  rob  them  of  what  was  justly  their  due.  The 
patriotic  and  liberty-loving  volunteer  soldier  of  1861  fol 
lowed  the  fortunes  of  war  till  the  Rebellion  was  put  down, 
and  did  not  resume  the  occupations  of  peace  until  he  had 
secured  by  his  prowess  the  full  fruition  of  an  undivided 
nation. 

Our  battery  held  its  position  at  the  Courtney  house  on 
the  right  of  the  centre  with  Gorman's  First  Brigade,  Sec 
ond  Division.  The  fighting  was  chiefly  on  the  centre  and 
left  of  the  line,  yet  at  times  was  quite  spirited  along  our 
front.  We  hammered  away  at  every  opportunity,  shelling 
the  woods  and  skirmish  lines  whenever  the  Confederates 
showed  themselves.  We  had  no  casualties  in  the  battery. 
We  expended  about  three  hundred  rounds  of  ammunition. 
The  four  guns  of  Battery  B  on  line  with  us  also  fired  some 
shots,  but  their  right  section  had  quite  a  lively  brush  near 
Fair  Oaks  Station  to  the  left  of  the  Adams  house. 

The  casualties  of  the  First  Division  were  8,380.  Of 
these,  557  occurred  in  Howard's  brigade;  the  Fifth  New 
Hampshire  losing  180;  the  Sixty-first  New  York,  110;  the 
Sixty-fourth  New  York,  173;  the  Eighty-first  Pennsylvania, 
91.  The  Irish  brigade  lost  39  men;  French's  brigade,  242, 
one-half  or  more  from  the  Fifty-second  New  York;  the 
Fifty-third  Pennsylvania  lost  94. 

The  Second  Corps  at  Fair  Oaks  received  a  most  signal 


94  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [June, 

introduction  into  the  stern  school  of  warfare,  and  became 
fully  initiated  into  the  trials  and  hardships  of  battle,  and 
was  being  prepared  for  the  severe  work  which  it  was  to 
perform  in  the  coming  years  of  its  eventful  history.  Before 
the  battle  a  part  of  Sedgwick's  Second  Division  had  never 
seen  any  fighting  except  what  little  was  done  at  Yorktown 
and  on  the  way  up  the  Peninsula.  But  now  they  had  been 
tried  and  stood  the  test,  and  all  were  on  an  equal  footing. 
Officers  and  men  of  both  divisions  knew  each  other  from  that 
time  on,  and  by  that  introduction  both  had  gained  honor, 
and  ties  were  formed  known  only  to  those  who  have  stood 
shoulder  to  shoulder  in  the  fire  of  battle.  The  veteran 
Sumner  had  hurried  his  divisions  to  the  banks  of  the  Chick- 
ahominy  upon  the  first  indications  of  a  battle,  and  was 
ready  and  waiting  for  the  orders  to  cross.  This  prompt 
ness  and  readiness  of  Sumner  to  march  to  the  relief  of  his 
imperilled  comrades  won  for  him  and  his  soldiers  the  grati 
tude  not  only  of  the  troops  of  the  Third  and  Fourth  Corps 
who  Avere  being  so  sorely  pressed,  but  the  admiration  and 
gratitude  of  the  whole  army. 

One  of  the  most  singular  incidents  of  the  war  took  place 
at  the  so-called  Courtney  house  on  the  afternoon  of  the  first 
day's  fighting.  Colonel  Sully,  commanding  the  First  Min 
nesota,  was  on  the  extreme  right  in  a  wTheatfield  and  edge 
of  woods.  There  was  not  a  man  on  his  right  to  the  river. 
He  had  received  strict  orders  from  General  Sumner  not  to 
fire  a  shot  unless  attacked  as  it  would  expose  his  position ; 
so  his  regiment  was  ordered  to  lie  down  in  the  wheat. 
While  in  this  position  a  party  of  about  fifty  horsemen  ap 
peared  not  over  two  hundred  yards  off,  and  stood  there  for 
twenty  minutes  or  more  looking  over  the  position.  Col 
onel  Sully  said  he  could  have  annihilated  them,  but,  owing 
to  his  orders  did  not  fire  a  shot.  Shortly  afterwards  he 
was  engaged  with  the  enemy,  and  some  prisoners  were 
brought  in  who  informed  him  that  the  party  on  horseback 


1862.]  FAIR    OAKS  95 

who  had  rode  out  to  the  front  was  Jefferson  Davis  and  mem 
bers  of  his  Cabinet,  General  Lee,  and  a  number  of  other 
high  officials. 

From  midnight  of  the  morning  of  June  2d  we  were  in 
line  of  battle,  the  troops  sleeping  on  their  arms.  The  First 
Minnesota  threw  up  earthworks  around  our  guns;  trains 
were  run  up  to  near  Fair  Oaks  Station  with  plenty  of  ra 
tions  and  ammunition.  Heavy  firing  was  heard  through 
the  day  on  the  extreme  right.  Another  heavy  shower  set  in 
in  the  afternoon,  and  the  combination  of  heat,  mud,  and  the 
stench  of  dead  horses  which  were  lying  all  around  the  field 
with  only  a  little  dirt  thrown  over  them,  wras  something 
fearful.  The  horses  were  troubled  by  the  mud  and  a  new 
disease  known  as  mud  itch  took  the  hair  off  their  bodies. 

On  the  3d  we  found  one  of  the  best  springs  of  water  we 
had  ever  seen,  near  the  ruins  of  an  old  brick  house  which 
seemed  to  have  once  been  a  fine  place.  It  rained  all  day, 
with  mud  everywhere  ankle-deep,  and  the  river  rising.  The 
whole  army  began  throwing  up  entrenchments. 

The  rain  continued  through  the  4th,  steadily  and  monot 
onously;  all  bridges  on  the  river  were  washed  away,  and 
the  men  became  discouraged.  The  stench  was  very  obnox 
ious,  and  we  feared  the  place  would  kill  more  men  by  dis 
ease  than  the  rebels  had  killed  by  the  bullet.  A  quiet  day 
with  very  little  firing  anywhere. 

June  5th  nothing  to  speak  of  occurred,  except  the  grum 
bling  of  the  men.  Still,  there  was  quite  a  little  amusement 
going  on  around  the  lines;  three  new  regiments  came  into 
the  corps  and  joined  the  First  Division, — Stephens's 
Seventh  New  York,  Colonel  Van  Schack;  the  Twenty-ninth 
Massachusetts,  Col.  Ebenezer  W.  Pierce,  and  the  Second 
Delaware,  Col.  Henry  W.  Wharton;  also  Russell's  company 
of  sharpshooters  from  Minnesota  joined  our  brigade,  which 
strengthened  our  corps  very  much. 

The  6th  was  the  first  anniversary  of  our  soldier  life.    Just 


96  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIUHT    ARTILLERY      [June, 

one  year  before  the  battery  had  been  mustered  into  service, 
little  thinking  then  that  we  should  be  placed  in  such  a  sit 
uation  as  we  were  now  in.  The  day  passed  quietly  with 
little  firing,  except  a  few  shots  on  our  extreme  right  toward 
Mechanicsville. 

There  was  .considerable  excitement  on  the  7th.  Our  Sec 
ond  brigade,  called  the  Pennsylvania,  under  General  Burns, 
made  a  sally  toward  the  enemy,  which  started  the  ball  in 
good  earnest.  We  had  some  machine  guns  on  the  railroad, 
which  opened  on  the  enemy.  They  made  as  much  racket 
as  two  regiments.  It  was  said  that  they  fired  sixty  shots  a 
minute,  and  one  could  easily  believe  it  by  the  sound.  They 
had  what  appeared  to  be  hoppers  on  them,  and  cranks  which 
were  turned,  and  all  were  protected  by  what  seemed  to  be 
steel  wings.  The  man  lies  or  sits  on  the  trail  and  sights 
it,  turning  the  crank.  It  was  a  great  invention. 

On  the  morning  of  the  8th  the  enemy  appeared  in  force 
and  made  strong  demonstrations,  but  was  met  with  stub 
born  resistance  by  our  troops.  General  McClellan  held  a 
council  of  Avar  at  the  headquarters  of  General  Sumner  in 
the  Courtney  house.  Our  limbers  were  within  a  few  feet 
of  the  house.  The  general  and  his  staff,  with  the  foreign 
officers  and  body  guard  made  a  fine  showing.  Prince 
de  Joinville  was  a  member  of  McClellan's  staff,  also  the 
Comte  de  Paris,  Duke  de  Chartres,  two  Spanish  generals, 
Milan  del  Roch  and  Prince  Senor  Justo  San  Miguel;  also 
Colonel  Denteure,  Colonel  Cardazo,  Senor  de  Sales,  and 
Senor  Perez  Caloo,  Spanish  historian.  They  appeared  to 
be  having  quite  a  heated  discussion,  when  out  came  Phil 
Kearny,  wild  with  rage,  and  as  he  mounted  his  horse,  said 
in  a  loud  tone  of  voice,  "Let  me  advance,  and  I  will  get  into 
Richmond  or  hell  before  night,"  w^hich  seemed  to  be  the 
spirit  which  animated  both  officers  and  men. 

Monday,  the  9th,  was  what  we  called  a  quiet  day  for  that 
place.  The  rebels  opened  fire  with  a  will  on  Gorman's  brig- 


FIRST  LIEUT.   HENRY  \V.   NEWTON. 
Enrolled  as  First   Sergeant. 


1862.]  FAIR    OAKS  97 

ade,  who  were  on  picket,  but  they  did  not  advance  far.  The 
trains  on  the  railroad  were  kept  busy  night  and  day,  and 
it  was  surprising  how  fast  the  rations  and  every  kind  of 
army  supplies  were  transported.  I  was  detailed  to  the 
station  which  was  a  wretched  looking  place.  It  appeared 
as  if  we  were  to  stay  there  a  long  time,  if  the  men  could 
stand  it,  which  was  doubtful.  Captain  Frost,  One  Hundred 
and  Sixth  Pennsylvania,  was  killed  there. 

On  the  10th  there  was  another  heavy  fall  of  rain,  and  the 
mud  was  ankle-deep.  While  the  boys  were  getting  some 
what  demoralized,  still  there  was  considerable  amusement 
to  be  had  about  every  day.  The  rebels  with  a  battery 
opened  quite  lively  upon  us  that  afternoon.  General  Gor 
man's  headquarters  was  between  our  guns  and  the  picket 
line  for  the  horses.  One  shell  came  over  and  just  missed 
his  tent  but  did  not  explode.  He  said:  "Bring  it  here. 
Let's  see  if  there  is  a  message  in  it  for  me."  After  it  was 
opened,  he  wrote  a  note  and  put  into  it,  then  sent  it  up  to 
the  battery  and  asked  them  to  send  it  back  with  his  compli 
ments.  Most  of  the  shelling  was  in  the  direction  of  Gen 
eral  Smith's  division.  Our  battery  cookhouse  was  located 
not  far  from  General  Gorman's  quarters,  and  while  the 
shelling  was  going  on  the  cook,  Lew  Irons,,  took  refuge  be 
hind  an  empty  hard-tack  box.  As  I  was  going  to  the  guns 
with  my  horses,  I  saw  him  lying  there  and  said  to  him : 
"Why  don't  you  get  a  sheet  of  paper,  Lew?"  He  replied: 
"Any  port  in  a  storm."  Lieut.  Col.  W.  L.  Curry,  One  Hun 
dred  and  Sixth  Pennsylvania,  was  taken  prisoner  on  the 
picket  line. 

About  two  A.  M.  the  llth,  we  had  another  big  scare,  and 
turned  out.  We  stood  by  our  guns  expecting  an  attack 
every  moment,  but  none  came.  It  was  a  trick  of  the  rebs. 
We  had  whipped  them  every  time  they  had  come  out,  and 
we  were  well  entrenched.  We  thought  they  only  intended 
to  worry  McClellan,  as  they  had  on  the  25th  to  27th  of  May, 

7 


98  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [June, 

Avhen,  with  the  assistance  of  the  swollen  river,  they  at 
tacked  our  left,  and  were  twice  repulsed.  After  that  scare 
it  was  very  quiet  for  a  time. 

Nothing  unusual  transpired  the  next  day,  with  the  excep 
tion  of  some  desultory  firing.  Our  generals'  plan  seemed 
to  be  to  strengthen  the  breastworks  all  along  the  line.  A 
few  guns  had  been  heard  in  the  evening  on  the  right. 

On  the  morning  of  the  13th,  about  three  o'clock,  there 
was  more  excitement,  and  we  were  hurried  out  to  stand  to 
our  guns,  but  it  died  out  as  usual.  Generals  Sumner  and 
Sedgwick  changed  their  quarters  that  day  from  the  Court 
ney  house  where  our  guns  were.  About  five  o'clock  the 
rebels  fired  with  several  batteries,  and  sent  over  three  differ 
ent  kinds  of  shells.  The  first  shot  killed  a  man  in  the  First 
Minnesota, — a  jolly  fellow,  who  was  a  great  admirer  of  our 
battery.  He  was  sitting  on  a  stump  near  by  us,  and  sing 
ing  one  of  his  favorite  songs.  A  man  of  the  Thirty-fourth 
New  York  was  badly  wounded  at  the  same  time.  This  was 
near  our  right,  where  our  boys  and  the  First  Minnesota 
comrades  were  accustomed  to  sit  and  tell  stories  and  sing 
songs  every  day. 

June  14th  our  corps  formed  an  artillery  reserve,  compris 
ing  Batteries  B  and  G,  First  Rhode  Island  Light  Artillery, 
and  Battery  G,  First  New  York  Artillery.  It  was  quiet 
that  day  all  along  the  line,  and  the  boys  had  a  chance  to  say 
"The  Johnnies  are  after  the  hard-tack,"  meaning  the  sup 
plies  down  at  the  station,  as  the  pile  of  hard-tack  boxes  was 
as  large  as  a  four  tenement  house,  with  every  kind  of  ration 
to  go  with  it,  even  down  to  whisky.  Every  day,  when  the 
firing  opened  someone  would  say,  ""they  are  after  the  hard 
tack."  The  First  Minnesota  was  entrenching  all  day. 

Sunday  was  another  rather  quiet  day,  with  some  heavy 
firing  off  to  the  right.  I  had  another  detail  to  the  station 
and  found  the  supplies  were  increasing  all  the  time.  That 
was  a  busy  place,  with  "red  tape"  enough  among  tlie  clerks 


1862.]  FAIR    OAKS  99 

to  decorate  the  army.  It  was  reported  that  the  rebel  gen 
eral,  Stuart,  had  made  a  raid  around  White  House  Landing 
the  day  before,  and  stirred  things  up  quite  lively. 

On  the  16th  the  rebels  again  endeavored  to  lay  in  a  stock 
of  hard-tack,  and  made  an  attack  for  the  most  part  on 
General  Sickles's  brigade,  but  there  was  some  shooting  all 
along  the  lines.  The  machine  guns  opened  quite  lively  up 
the  railroad,  with  heavy  firing  on  both  right  and  left  wings 
of  the  army.  General  McClellan  passed  along  the  line 
towards  evening. 

The  17th  was  a  quiet  day,  and  I  took  a  trip  up  to  thd 
spring*,  getting  some  of  that  fine  water,  Lannegan  looking 
out  for  my  horses. 

The  next  day  there  was  a  spirited  engagement  on  the  ex 
treme  right  under  Porter.  In  the  afternoon  Richardson 
was  ordered  to  advance  in  front  of  Fair  Oaks.  Our  line 
was  all  ready  for  an  engagement.  Richardson  was  sup 
ported  by  a  brigade  from  Couch's  division  of  three  brigades. 
They  advanced  on  the  enemy  in  thick  woods,  in  what  is 
called  Oak  Grove,  or  Old  Tavern,  up  the  nine-mile  road. 
Our  battery  was  hitched  up,  and  ready  for  action.  The 
rebels  made  a  little  movement  in  our  front,  but  it  was  of  no 
account.  General  McClellan  was  present.  We  thought 
that  he  was  getting  too  many  foreign  ideas.  It  was  re 
ported  that  Richardson's  brigade  lost  about  200  men  that 
day. 

On  the  10th  there  was  only  a  little  firing  on  the  right.  1 
went  among  the  infantry,  and  they  were  anxious  to  move. 
There  was  a  report  that  the  rebs  lost  heavily  the  day  be 
fore, — from  three  to  five  hundred  killed  and  wounded.  The 
mud-itch  was  troubling  our  horses  very  much. 

On  the  20th  we  were  kept  busy  all  day.  The  cry  was, 
"They  are  after  the  hard-tack."  The  machine  guns  were 
used  several  times. 

Friday  night  and  the  day  following  we  were  called  to 


100  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [June, 

our  guns  five  or  six  times.  The  Johnnies  were  making  at 
tacks  on  the  railroad,  trying  for  the  hard-tack  since  the 
whisky  rations  were  discontinued.  The  stopping  of  the 
whisky  ration  was  a  good  thing,  as  it  did  more  harm  than 
good.  I  tasted  of  it  once,  that  was  all  I  wanted  of  it.  It 
was  reported  to  be  a  preventive  of  fevers  in  that  country; 
but  I  would  rather  have  the  fever. 

Sunday  the  22d  was  one  of  the  quietest  days  at  Fair 
Oaks.  There  was  a  great  deal  of  visiting  among  the  troops. 
The  men  of  our  division  were  very  much  attached  to  those 
of  our  battery,  especially  the  men  of  the  First  Minnesota 
and  Fifteenth  Massachusetts. 

Monday,  the  23d,  was  quiet,  until  towards  evening,  when 
the  rebs,  in  accordance  with  their  custom,  made  another  at 
tempt  to  get  the  hard-tack  on  the  railroad.  The  machine 
guns  gave  them  a  hot  reception.  At  night  there  wras  a 
severe  thunder  shower,  making  more  mud  for  the  troops  to 
wade  in. 

About  two  A.  M.  on  the  24th,  the  rebels  made  a  slight 
attack  upon  us,  which  did  not  amount  to  much,  but  served 
to  bring  everybody  into  line  and  in  readiness  to  repel  any 
attempt  the  enemy  might  make  in  our  direction.  With  the 
rain  of  the  night  before  Virginia  mud  was  again  in  evi 
dence. 

On  the  25th  there  was  lively  fighting.  Hooker's  division 
of  the  Third  Corps  advanced  in  front  of  Fair  Oaks,  and  was 
directed  against  what  was  called  Old  Tavern  or  Oak  Grove. 
It  Avas  supported  by  a  brigade  from  Couch's  and  Richard 
son's  divisions.  The  Nineteenth  Massachusetts  Regiment 
was  sent  in  front,  and  was  attacked  by  a  heavy  body  of 
Confederates.  The  regiment  fought  with  spirit  and  held 
its  ground,  sustaining  severe  losses,  until  it  was  compelled 
to  withdraw.  Our  losses  wrere  reported  very  heavy. 

All  was  quiet  along  our  front  the  next  day.  There  was 
a  fierce  battle  at  Beaver  Dam  Creek,  near  Mechanicsville, 


1862.]  FAIR    OAKS  101 

on  our  extreme  right.  Fitz  John  Porter's  corps  was  at 
tacked  by  an  overwhelming  number,  the  battle  lasting  un 
til  nearly  nine  P.  M.,  when  it  seemed  from  our  position  that 
General  Porter  was  driving  the  enemy  back.  The  artillery 
fire  was  very  heavy  and  the  sky  after  dark  was  a  steady 
blaze.  There  was  great  cheering  along  our  lines,  with  the 
bands  playing  all  our  national  airs  until  after  ten  o'clock. 
We  were  in  hopes  we  could  keep  it  up,  but  were  afraid  the 
rebels  would  trick  McClellan,  as  they  were  attacking  us 
first  on  our  right  and  then  on  our  left. 

On  the  morning  of  the  27th  it  was  very  evident  that 
something  was  to  take  place,  as  our  corps  received  orders 
to  hold  our  position  at  all  hazards.  The  battle  opened  at 
Games'  Mill.  It  was  reported  that  Stonewall  Jackson  had 
gone  away  from  McDowell,  and  thrown  his  forces  with 
those  of  A.  P.  Hill's  against  Porter's  on  the  right;  that 
Porter's  corps  had  been  completely  routed,  when  Slocum's 
division  of  the  Sixth  Corps  came  up  in  time  to  save  them. 
Then  Longstreet  appeared  and  made  a  furious  attack  with 
Hill  and  Jackson,  on  Porter's  extreme  right,  hurling  a  fresh 
division  into  the  fight,  and  the  battle  raged  furiously.  Af 
ter  a  desperate  fight  our  lines  were  broken,  and  our  troops 
retreated.  It  was  also  reported  that  8,000  had  been  killed, 
wounded,  and  taken  prisoners,  and  thirty  guns  captured. 
Two  of  the  brigades  of  our  corps,  the  Irish  Brigade  under 
General  Meagher,  and  French's  brigade,  with  one  section 
of  our  battery,  and  some  of  the  artillery  reserves  of  our 
corps  went  to  the  assistance  of  Porter.  They  did  not  get 
there  any  too  soon.  The  sight  was  worse  than  at  Bull  Run, 
the  men  fleeing  in  all  directions,  with  wagons  and  artillery, 
all  in  one  grand  rush.  Our  two  brigades  strengthened 
them,  and  it  may  be  saved  the  whole  army.  About  noon 
the  enemy  appeared  on  our  right  at  Fair  Oaks  and  opened 
a  very  heavy  fire  of  artillery  on  Smith's  division  of  the 
Sixth  Corps,  between  us  and  the  river  on  the  Richmond 


102  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    It.    1.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [June, 

side.  Hancock's  brigade  received  the  brunt  of  the  attacks 
of  the  enemy.  They  were  subsequently  re-enforced  by  the 
Fourth  and  Sixth  Vermont  and  Sixth  New  Jersey.  Sedg- 
wick  also  sent  our  Fifteenth  Massachusetts  to  report  to 
General  Smith.  AVhile  their  attacks  were  strong,  they 
were  repulsed  with  severe  losses.  Our  two  brigades  under 
French  and  Meagher  were  the  rear  guard  at  Games'  Mill. 
The  army  came  across  the  river  in  the  night.  The  Eighty- 
eighth  New  York,  under  General  French,  destroyed  the 
bridge.  Our  whole  army  was  on  the  south  or  west  side 
of  the  river,  with  our  base  of  supplies  cut  off  at  White 
House  Junction.  We  did  not  know  what  to  expect  next. 
We  could  safely  say  that  this  had  been  the  worst  day  and 
night  we  had  ever  experienced.  Bull  Run  was  no  compari 
son,  excepting  that  our  troops  were  better  handled,  and, 
with  the  timely  arrival  of  our  two  brigades,  checked  a  panic 
which  seemed  imminent.  I  will  never  forget  the  scene  at 
the  river  near  Gaines'  Mill  that  night.  It  was  a  mass  of 
struggling  humanity,  seeking  to  cross  the  river  amid  the 
constant  roar  of  artillery  and  musketry  combined. 

On  the  28th  the  eit'ect  of  Porter's  defeat  and  retreat  had 
cast  a  gloom  over  the  whole  army,  which  could  be  plainly 
seen  in  the  faces  of  our  troops.  The  section  of  our  battery 
that  went  to  Gaines'  Mill  had  a  rough  experience.  Our 
situation  at  that  time  was  very  critical;  all  baggage  wagons 
were  being  sent  away,  and  all  surplus  ammunition  and 
commissary  stores  destroyed.  It  appeared  like  a  general 
retreat.  At  about  ten  in  the  morning  the  rebels  made  an 
attack  on  our  centre  and  were  repulsed  with  heavy  loss. 
They  left,  it  was  reported,  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  their 
men  within  our  lines,  either  killed  or  wounded.  Among  the 
latter  was  Colonel  Lamar,  of  Georgia.  Part  of  our  Second 
Corps  had  already  left  when  we  received  orders  to  hold  the 
position  at  all  hazards.  It  had  a  very  gloomy  look,  indeed, 
for  us. 


1862.]  FAIR    OAKS  108 

On  Sunday,  the  -Oth,  we  received  orders  about  three 
o'clock  A.  M.  to  get  out  as  quickly  as  possible.  Smith's  divi 
sion  had  already  fallen  back,  which  exposed  our  right  flank. 
The  rebels  followed  at  our  heels.  After  falling^back  a  mile 
or  so,  General  Sunnier  formed  line  of  battle  across  the  rail 
road  at  Allen's  Farm  or  Peach  Orchard.  We  did  not  have 
long  to  wait,  for  Magruder,  with  his  division  and  three  bat 
teries,  with  his  usual  activity  was  following  closely  after. 
Our  battery  was  in  close  action  followed  by  French's  brig 
ade,  and  Pettit's  2s ew  York  light  guns  which  came  to  our  as 
sistance.  The  fight  for  a  time  was  very  sharp.  After  three 
repulses  the  rebels  fell  back,  having  lost  General  Griffith 
and  many  officers  and  men.  It  was  a  short  fight,  and  the 
enemy  was  badly  beaten.  We  were  still  in  a  critical  posi 
tion  ;  Smith's  division  had  left  our  right  flank  exposed  so 
that  about  three  o'clock  by  a  skillful  movement  of  General 
Simmer,  we  fell  back  to  Savage  Station,  leaving  our  dead 
and  wounded.  Here  we  found  two  of  Heintzelman's  divi 
sions,  one  of  Franklin's,  and  two  of  our  corps,  making  five 
in  all.  General  Sumner  was  in  command  of  the  entire  force 
at  this  point.  At  a  little  past  four  o'clock  Magruder,  re- 
enforced  by  McLane's  and  Jones's  divisions,  pushed  his 
whole  command  against  Sumner,  and,  at  this  very  critical 
moment,  to  Simmer's  great  amazement,  Heintzelman,  1111 
fortunately,  wiithout  a  word  to  any  one.  had  marched  his 
two  divisions  from  the  battlefield,  and  was  moving  across 
White  Oak  Swamp.  As  good  luck  would  have  it,  however, 
Stonewall  Jackson  was  held  at  the  river  for  want  of  bridges. 
Burns's  brigade  with  Sully's  First  Minnesota  on  quick 
march  to  left,  received  the  first  fury  of  the  attack  of  the 
enemy;  then  came  General  Sedgwick's  division,  the  heroes 
of  the  war,  to  support  Burns,  and,  a  little  later,  the  Sixty- 
ninth,  bold  Irishmen  of  Richardson's  division,  came  over  on 
double-quick.  General  Brooke's  brigade  of  the  Sixth  Corps 
was  sent  in  to  take  the  place  which  Heintzelman  had  aban- 


BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY    [June, 

doued,  and  the  battle  raged  the  whole  length  of  the  line. 
Added  to  this  were  six  six-gun  batteries,  and  Pettit's  light 
guns,  making  thirty-eight  guns  throwing  their  deadly  mis 
siles  over  the  heads  of  the  infantry.  The  roar  of  the  battle 
was  tremendous.  When  the  battle  was  at  its  height  the 
rebels  ran  some  kind  of  a  gun  of  very  heavy  calibre  on  a 
car  up  the  railroad  track  and  opened  on  our  line.  It 
sounded  as  loud  as  those  of  the  gunboats  on  the  York  Eiver. 
The  fight  lasted  until  about  sundown  and  was  a  decided 
victory  for  Sumner  and  his  Second  Corps.  If  Heintzelman 
had  stayed  with  his  corps  we  would  have  annihilated  or 
captured  nearly  if  not  quite  all  of  Magruder's  forces.  The 
worst  feature  of  this  unfortunate  affair  it  seemed  to  us 
was  to  leave  all  our  sick  in  the  hospital  to  the  mercy  of  the 
rebels.  There  was  a  camp  of  acres  of  tents,  and  four  or 
five  hundred  nurses  and  doctors  left  with  them  to  take  care 
of  them.  Here  also  was  a  huge  heap  of  hard-tack,  as  large 
as  a  four-family  house,  with  rations  of  all  kinds,  and  am 
munition  for  the  army.  Our  men  had  been  destroying 
these  supplies  all  night  and  through  the  day  until  we  fell 
back,  and  then  it  was  set  on  fire.  All  the  ammunition  that 
was  stored  there  was  loaded  upon  a  train  of  cars  and  set  on 
fire;  the  engine  was  started,  and,  when  it  went  off  the  bridge 
into  the  river,  the  explosions  that  we  heard  were  something 
terrific.  It  could  not  be  described.  The  explosions  were 
frequent  and  continued  until  a  late  hour. 

Lieut.  Henry  Newton  gives  this  graphic  account  of  the 
saving  of  one  of  the  guns  of  our  battery  at  this  time.  He 
says:  "While  falling  back  from  the  Chickahominy  to  Har 
rison's  Landing,  we  were  ordered  to  take  position  at  Peach 
Orchard  to  support  the  rear  guard,  which  was  a  brigade  of 
the  Second  Corps.  We  relieved  Hazzard's  regular  battery. 
The  right  section  under  command  of  Captain  Tompkins 
and  Lieut.  J.  G.  Hazard  went  down  to  our  left  to  cover  the 
railroad.  The  left  and  centre  sections  remained  in  position 


1862.]  FAIK    OAKS  105 

on  a  knoll  and  threw  shells  over  the  woods  in  our  front. 
We  remained  on  the  knoll  till  about  all  of  our  rear  guard 
had  passed,  when  Captain  Tompkins  rode  up  and  gave 
orders  to  retire,  and  to  take  up  a  position  at  Savage  Sta 
tion.  While  falling  back  the  last  piece  of  the  battery  got 
stuck  in  a  ditch  and  the  traces  broke  in  trying  to  pull  it 
out.  The  men  determined  not  to  leave  the  gun  in  the  hands 
of  the  enemy,  so  Drivers  Collins,  McKay,  and  McConnell 
coolly  dismounted.  Collins  said :  'Well,  lieutenant,  what 
shall  we  do  now?'  I  directed  the  sergeant  of  the  gun  to 
ride  on  and  get  a  spare  trace  which  was  in  the  battery 
w^agon.  By  this  time  the  enemy  was  throwing  the  lead 
among  the  handful  of  men  who  formed  the  rear  skirmish 
ing  line,  and  several  men  fell  in  close  proximity  to  us,  but 
not  a  man  of  the  detachment  made  a  movement  to  the  rear. 
Collins  and  McKay  tied  up  the  broken  traces  with  ropes 
and  then  just  as  the  Johnnies  thought  they  were  sure  of 
our  gun,  with  the  assistance  of  some  of  the  Fifteenth  Massa 
chusetts,  who  were  the  rear  guard,  we  pulled  out  and  made 
good  our  retreat  to  Savage  Station,  where  the  rest  of  our 
battery  was  parked.  The  men  who  would  not  desert  their 
gun  were  Corp.  A.  M.  C.  Olney,  and  Privates  McKay, 
Sweet,  Collins,  and  McConnell;  and  this  in  the  face  of  an 
order  that  if  anything  broke  down  to  abandon  it  on  account 
of  the  enemy  following  us  so  closely.'' 

Although  we  were  on  the  retreat,  yet  nevertheless  it  was 
in  a  measure  a  victory  for  us.  It  showed  the  endurance  of 
our  own  troops.  The  Second  Army  Corps  had  again  cov 
ered  itself  with  glory,  and  its  brave  commanders,  Simmer, 
Richardson,  and  Sedgwick,  with  their  brigade  generals 
Meagher,  French,  and  Howard  of  the  First  Division, 
and  Generals  Gorman,  Burns,  and  Dana  of  the  Second 
Division,  had  no  cause  to  blush  for  the  part  they  took  dur 
ing  those  eventful  days.  After  dark,  about  nine  o'clock, 
General  Simmer  very  reluctantly  crossed  the  White  Oak 


106  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [June, 

Swamp  bridge,  and,  at  about  midnight,  halted  for  the  night. 
The  loss  was  then  said  to  be  about  five  hundred  in  killed  and 
wounded  at  both  the  Peach  Orchard  and  Savage  Station 
fights.  Everyone  in  our  battery  being  very  tired  after  three 
days'  steady  work,  tumbled  in  anywhere.  For  myself,  after- 
doing  all  I  could  for  my  horses,  I  stamped  down  some  low 
scrubby  brush  near  them,  and,  spreading  my  blanket,  fell 
upon  it,  and  was  fast  asleep  in  a  few  moments,  and  did  not 
awake  until  daylight. 

We  were  routed  out  at  daylight  on  the  30th,  feeling  that 
we  had  been  asleep  only  a  few  minutes.  The  army  was 
reported  all  across  the  White  Oak  Swamp,  and  keeping  on 
towards  the  James  River.  A  very  large  siege  train  was 
moving  along  the  road,  guarded  by  the  First  Connecticut, 
with  about  three  thousand  head  of  cattle,  and  about  four 
teen  miles  of  wagons  with  thousands  of  sick  and  wounded 
that  could  hardly  walk  or  crawl,  and  as  many  more  strag 
glers,  the  most  of  whom  ought  to  have  been  put  to  the  front 
in  a  hard  fight  and  made  to  stay  there.  This  immense  train 
was  guarded  by  Keyes's  corps,  and,  following  them,  was 
Porter's.  Franklin  was  posted  at  White  Oak  Bridge  with 
one  division  of  Smith's,  one  brigade  of  Keyes's,  Richard 
son's  division,  and  two  brigades  of  Sedgwiek's  division  of 
Simmer's  corps.  It  was  a  very  strong  position.  The 
troops  there  Avere  lying  about  promiscuously,  being  ex 
hausted  and  weary  for  want  of  sleep. 

Jackson  came  up  at  eleven  o'clock  with  a  much  heavier 
force  of  infantry  and  artillery,  and  without  any  warning 
opened  upon  us  with  over  thirty  guns.  For  awhile  it  looked 
like  another  Hull  Run  or  Games'  Mill,  but  the  men  were 
soon  in  line  and  our  artillery  returned  their  fire.  It  was 
an  artillery  duel.  While  Jackson's  force  was  superior  to 
ours,  the  swamp  completely  blocked  him  from  doing  us  any 
harm.  The  fighting  was  pretty  general  all  along  our  right 
flank,  but  the  battle  of  Glendale  it  seemed  to  me  was  the 


1862.]  FAIR    OAKS  107 

toughest  of  any  yet.  Our  side  wavered  in  a  number  of 
places  several  times.  General  Meade  was  wounded  and  his 
brigade  broke,  and  RandoFs  regular  battery  was  lost. 
Cooper's  battery  of  Pennsylvania  was  also  lost,  and 
McCall's  corps  broken  in  two  places  and  two  batteries  were 
lost  and  one  general  wounded. 

At  about  three  o'clock  the  Confederates  made  a  break  for 
General  Simmer's  Second  Corps,  but  in  vain.  They  had 
just  come  from  Oak  Swamp  bridge  on  double-quick,  and,  as 
they  came  on  the  field  to  fill  the  vacant  place  abandoned  by 
Seymour's  men,  they  arrived  at  a  time  of  great  excitement 
just  as  MeCall's  men  broke  through  their  forming  ranks. 
Yet  the  men  of  the  Second  Corps  did  not  falter,  and  Burns's 
and  Dana's  brigades  stood  the  brunt  of  the  action. 

The  Seventy-first  and  Seventy-second  Pennsylvania  and 
the  Nineteenth  and  Twentieth  Massachusetts  covered  them 
selves  with  glory  and  suffered  very  heavy  losses.  The  Sixty- 
first  New  York,  under  Barlow,  and  the  Eighty-first  Penn 
sylvania  under  Col.  Alexander  Hays,  were  very  severely  en 
gaged  and  sustained  the  greatest  loss.  Hays  and  Barlow 
seemed  to  try  to  outdo  each  other;  Barlow  made  a  grand 
charge  and  captured  a  rebel  flag.  He  looked  like  a  mere 
boy.  It  was  an  inspiring  sight  to  see  General  Simmer  take 
that  flag  and  drag  it  in  the  dirt  and  walk  on  it  before  his 
men  to  encourage  them.  The  army  fought  at  different 
places,  viz. :  Oak  Swamp,  Glendale,  Charles  City  Cross 
Roads,  Nelson's  Farm,  Quaker  Road  or  Turkey  Bend.  The 
battle  of  Glendale  was  the  severest  of  all  and  it  lasted  un 
til  dark. 

About  midnight,  after  everything  had  gone  on,  the  Sec 
ond  Corps  took  the  rear  and  marched  to  Malvern  Hill.  The 
dead  and  some  of  the  badly  wounded  were  left  on  the  field. 
We  had  three  in  our  company.  Sergeant  Hammond  and 
Privates  Slocum  and  Sedlinger,  who  kept  with  the  battery. 
We  lost  the  rear  boxes  and  wheels  of  one  caisson.  The 


108  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [July, 

linchpin  broke,  and,  through  the  excitement  and  rush  for 
the  rear,  it  was  left.  This  was  needless,  as  ten  minutes 
would  have  completed  all  repairs,  and  then  they  could  have 
fallen  into  line  anywhere.  We  arrived  at  Malvern  Hill  at 
about  two  o'clock  A.  M.,  and,  as  soon  as  possible  after  car 
ing  for  the  horses,  I  arranged  a  bed  on  some  grain  sacks 
and  was  asleep  as  soon  as  I  lay  down. 

We  were  turned  out  sharp  at  daylight  of  July  1st,  but  it 
was  nearly  ten  o'clock  before  the  battle  began.  When  the 
last  of  our  corps  came  in,  about  daylight,  they  were  received 
with  cheers  and  the  playing  of  a  number  of  bands.  We  did 
not  get  into  position  but  were  given  a  chance  to  fix  up  a  lit 
tle.  The  cannoneers  filled  up  the  ammunition  chests,  and 
the  drivers  fixed  up  horses  and  harnesses.  It  was  a  busy 
day  for  the  artificers ;  they  worked  quite  steadily. 

Our  corps  was  well  to  the  right  of  the  line  and  in  support. 
It  seemed  about  time  the}'  received  their  share  of  work. 
Since  the  26th  of  June,  while  we  did  not  get  into  the  en 
gagement,  we  were  constantly  under  fire,  but  were  lucky 
as  usual.  It  was  said  that  my  old  chum,  James  Cooper, 
had  been  wounded  in  the  leg  by  some  of  our  own  men,  and 
the  captain's  horse  was  wounded. 

The  rebels  advanced  about  ten  o'clock  against  the  left  and 
attacked  Porter,  who  held  the  left  resting  on  James  River, 
where  the  gunboats  did  splendid  work  with  their  big  guns. 
One  of  the  guns,  before  getting  range,  struck  one  of  the 
guns  of  Battery  0,  First  Rhode  Island  Light  Artillery,  and 
killed  four  or  five  men  and  wounded  as  mam'  more  and  a 
number  of  horses.  The  battery  was  commanded  by  Lieut. 
Richard  Waterman,  Captain  Weeden  having  charge  of  the 
artillery  of  the  corps.  For  over  an  hour  it  was  something 
fearful;  all  the  artillery  I  ever  heard  could  not  compare 
with  it.  Then  came  the  rush  of  Magruder.  Between  four 
and  five  o'clock  General  Couch  on  the  right  joined  General 
Porter  and  received  the  brunt  of  the  attack.  It  was  some- 


1862.]  MALVERN    HILL  109 

thing  terrible.  The  only  portion  of  our  corps  doing  much 
fighting  at  this  charge  of  Magruder  and  D.  H.  Hill,  was  the 
Irish  brigade,  General  Meagher,  and  Caldwell's  brigade  of 
Richardson's  First  Division,  who  met  and  stopped  the  reb 
els'  advance,  then  charged  them  and  captured  a  number  of 
men  and  officers.  It  was  a  great  clash,  and  General  Couch 
covered  himself  with  glory.  He  had  command  of  the  left 
centre.  The  fight  lasted  into  the  night,  and  the  display  of 
shells  from  the  batteries  and  the  fire  of  musketry  was  grand. 
It  seemed  to  cease  all  at  once.  I  bunked  on  the  grain 
sacks  for  the  night  but  was  disappointed,  as  we  were  routed 
out  about  two  o'clock  with  orders  to  march  for  no  one  knew 
where. 

Our  army  had  won  a  most  decided  victory  at  every  point ; 
the  slaughter  of  the  rebels  was  frightful,  and  the  position 
we  occupied  was  a  very  commanding  one.  It  seemed  absurd 
and  unreasonable  to  retreat  when  we  held  such  an  advan 
tageous  position,  and  we  the  victors.  In  fact,  there  had 
been  no  fight  since  June  27th  in  which  our  army  had  not 
been  victorious. 

July  2d  we  left  Malvern  Hill  in  great  confusion.  It  was 
at  one  time  as  bad  as  the  panic  at  Bull  Run  or  Games' 
Mill;  men  from  every  corps  in  the  army  were  intermingled, 
and  it  seemed  as  if  every  one  was  looking  out  for  himself. 
The  stampede  caused  the  men  to  shoot  in  all  directions, 
and  it  was  reported  that  a  great  many  men  were  killed  and 
wounded.  It  rained  as  hard  as  I  ever  saw  it;  the  roads 
were  fearful,  and  it  was  lucky  we  had  not  far  to  go.  We 
halted  six  or  seven  miles  from  Malvern  Hill,  on  the  James 
River.  When  we  first  arrived,  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach 
were  wheatfields,  and  it  was  a  fine  sight;  a  part  of  the 
wheat  was  cut  and  in  shocks  while  the  rest  was  standing, 
but  in  twenty  minutes  from  the  time  we  struck  there  there 
was  not  a  spear  of  it  to  be  seen.  The  company  took  a  good 
share  of  it,  and  it  made  a  passable  flooring  for  our  tents  in 


110  BATTERY'    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [July, 

such  a  muddy  spot.  Mud  was  nearly  ankle-deep.  It  was 
very  disheartening  to  see  and  hear  the  troops  as  they  strag 
gled  on.  All  the  wounded  at  Malvern  Hill  had  to  get 
through  as  best  they  could.  It  was  a  sad  thought  that  ten 
days  before  it  was  one  of  the  best  armies  that  was  ever 
marshaled,  its  greatest  desire  being  to  meet  the  enemy ;  and 
now  heart-broken,  demoralized,  and  decimated  by  battle 
and  disease,  until  they  were  about  ready  to  mutiny.  No 
man  could  have  made  me  believe  this  army  would  have 
come  to  such  a  condition.  We  were  well  protected  here, 
however,  by  the  gunboats  on  each  flank,  and  there  hardly 
seemed  rebels  enough  in  the  army  to  whip  us  here,  unless 
the  condition  of  the  troops  greatly  deteriorated. 

We  were  out  in  season  the  morning  of  the  3d.  Did  not 
have  to  move,  and  became  much  refreshed  after  a  good 
night's  rest.  The  horses  looked  rough,  poor  fellows;  they 
had  had  a  hard  time  and  the  mud-itch  caused  them  great 
suffering.  We  had  just  begun  to  boast  that  we  were  out 
of  the  woods  with  no  fighting  that  day,  when,  bang!  bang! 
bang!  came  a  report  from  up  the  road  to  the  right  of  our 
position,  and  it  came  near  causing  a  panic  for  a  few  min 
utes.  Everybody  was  jumping  to  get  hitched  up;  it  looked 
as  if  the  rebs  were  on  top  of  us  without  warning,  and  they 
made  it  lively  for  awhile.  Before  we  got  started  the  noise 
was  all  over,  and  it  was  said  at  night  that  a  brigade  of 
cavalry  and  horse  artillery  had  made  a  dash  on  us  to  shake 
us  up  a  little.  They  did  not  get  away  very  easily,  however, 
as  a  number  of  them  were  taken  with  their  battery.  They 
were  said  to  have  been  captured  by  a  new  brigade  of  in 
fantry  from  Shields's  division,  up  the  Valley,  who  had 
joined  our  corps  the  day  before  they  came  up  the  James 
River.  They  had  been  assigned  to  our  Second  Corps  under 
General  Kiniball's  command.  There  were  three  regiments, 
the  Eighth  Ohio,  Colonel  Carroll;  the  Fourteenth  Indiana, 
Colonel  Harrow,  and  the  Seventh  Virginia,  Colonel  Jim 


1862.]  HARRISON'S  LANDING  111 

Evans.  As  they  were  fresh  and  untried  soldiers  they  had 
been  put  on  picket,  and  proved  to  be  good  men  for  the  place. 

The  great  and  glorious  Fourth  of  July,  1862,  will  remain 
long  in  the  minds  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Since  the 
previous  morning  troops  had  been  moving  into  the  positions 
to  which  they  had  been  assigned,  and  extending  from  the 
river.  In  the  morning  we  moved  out  about  one  mile  to 
wards  Malvern  Hill  into  a  new  camp.  We  celebrated  the 
day,  which  was  a  very  hot  one,  by  firing  salutes,  and  the 
music  of  bands  could  be  heard  in  every  direction.  It  was 
surprising  to  find  that  there  were  so  many  musical  instru 
ments  saved  on  the  retreat. 

Hot  was  no  name  for  the  weather  of  the  5th.  The  mud 
had  dried  up,  however,  and  the  men  began  To  seem  like 
themselves. 

The  6th  was  another  very  hot  day;  food  rather  poor,  as 
our  battery  cook  had  not  yet  recovered  from  sickness. 
Generals  Sunnier,  Sedgwick,  and  Richardson,  we  learned 
had  been  promoted  to  major-generals.  I  was  detailed  to  go 
to  the  Landing,  and  it  proved  an  enjoyable  trip.  It  was  a 
great  treat  to  see  the  gunboats  and  shipping.  Our  old 
friend,  the  steamer  Canonicus,  was  there,  and  looked  old- 
fashioned. 

Very  hot  again  the  7th.  We  changed  our  camp  into  the 
woods  as  it  was  too  hot  in  the  open.  President  Lincoln 
visited  the  army;  the  troops  passed  in  review  before  him, 
Kirby's  regular  battery  firing  a  salute.  When  General 
Sumner  passed  our  battery  gave  three  rousing  cheers. 

We  found  no  name  for  the  heat  of  the  8th ;  it  was  the  hot 
test  place  we  were  ever  in.  I  was  again  on  detail  at  the 
Landing,  unloading  ammunition.  The  boxes  were  very 
heavy  and  I  never  found  it  so  hard  to  keep  at  work;  a  num 
ber  of  our  men  gave  out.  The  army  began  reorganizing, 
and  it  was  reported  that  our  forces  were  throwing  up  earth 
works  at  Malvern  Hill ;  it  was  the  worst  place  I  ever  saw 


112  HATTEIJY    A,    FIRST    II.    I.     LKJHT    AIJT1LLEHV      [July, 

for  flies,  the  large  blue  kind.  Our  sugar  for  the  battery 
came  in  sacks,  and  the  flies  would  cover  a  sack  so  thickly 
that  nothing  but  flies  could  be  seen.  When  we  sugared  our 
coffee  we  found  the  flyblows  floating  on  the  surface.  A  re 
port  was  current  that  the  little  Monitor  had  captured  a 
rebel  gunboat  the  day  before. 

Heat  continued  through  the  10th  and  told  fearfully  on 
the  horses.  Drill  at  manual  was  attempted,  but  it  was 
found  impracticable  to  keep  the  men  out  in  the  fierce  sun. 

The  llth  was  another  very  hot  day.  I,  having  been  on 
guard  the  night  before,  had  a  pass  to  go  to  the  Landing, 
and  there  I  again  saw  the  old  steamer  Canonicus  that  used 
to  carry  excursionists  down  our  bay  at  home.  All  the 
Rhode  Island  troops  came  flocking  to  see  her ;  it  seemed  like 
meeting  an  old  friend.  She  was  being  used  by  the  govern 
ment  as  a  transport  for  the  sick  and  wounded  men. 

July  12th  considerable  sickness  was  reported  in  the  arm}' 
caused  by  the  heat. 

Sunday,  the  13th,  was  a  quiet  day,  with  every  one  trying 
to  keep  cool. 

The  14th  was  another  dull  day.  The  heat  was  intense. 
Secretary  Stanton  visited  the  army  that  day. 

July  loth  the  heat  was  having  a  fearful  effect  upon  our 
soldiers  and  horses.  Four  other  men  and  myself  were  de 
tailed  to  go  to  the  Landing  to  get  some  fruits  and  other 
delicacies  from  the  Sanitary  Commission  for  the  battery. 
A  terrific  thunder  shower  came  up  in  the  evening.  I  could 
only  compare  it  to  a  battle.  1  left  the  w^oods,  and  went  out 
into  the  open  field. 

Nothing  of  importance  occurred  on  the  16th,  and  the  long 
hot  days  grew  monotonous.  Another  detail;  I  went  with 
Shippee  after  hay  and  grain. 

After  guard  mount  on  the  17th  some  of  us  got  permits 
to  go  to  the  river  and  wash  our  clothes.  We  had  a  fine 
time  and  a  good  swim,  and  felt  first-rate  by  night.  There 
was  some  talk  of  moving  on. 


CAPT.  CHARLES  D.  OWEN. 
Enrolled  as  Sergeant  Battery  A  ;  First  Lieutenant  Battery  A  ;  Captain  Battery  G. 


1862.]  HARBISON'S  LANDING  113 

A  light  shower  through  the  night  made  the  18th  more 
endurable.  The  cooking,  however,  was  very  bad,  and  the 
flies  the  worst  I  had  ever  known.  Some  pressed  vegetables 
that  we  received  we  considered  quite  a  treat. 

July  19th  I  received  from  Lieutenant  Hazard  another 
detail  to  go  with  the  teams  for  rations. 

Hot  as  ever  on  Sunday,  but  we  were  quite  busy  getting 
ready  for  inspection.  Everything  was  cleaned  and  polished 
up  in  preparation  for  that  event. 

July  21st  was  the  anniversary  of  Bull  Run.  The  boys 
compared  the  day  Avith  a  year  ago,  and  we  concluded  we 
were  as  far  off  from  success  as  then.  The  same  old  story ; 
we  got  the  credit  of  whipping  the  rebs  in  about  every  fight, 
but  still  we  kept  retreating.  It  was  a  singular  state  of 
affairs. 

It  Avas  quite  an  exciting  day  on  the  22d.  There  was  a 
grand  review  of  the  Second  Corps  by  General  McClellan, 
and  the  corps  turned  out  in  fine  condition.  It  was  surpris 
ing  to  see  how  well  the  men  appeared  after  all  they  had 
been  through.  We  fired  a  salute  in  honor  of  the  general. 

Our  camp  having  become  foul  on  account  of  the  weather, 
we  received  orders  on  the  23d  to  change  it  again  a  short 
distance  in.  the  woods. 

The  24th  was  a  monotonous  day,  but  on  the  25th  we  had 
a  little  treat.  We  went  to  the  river  with  the  guns  and  gave 
them  a  cleaning  and  succeeded  in  getting  off  some  of  the 
mud  that  was  caked  onto  them.  We  had  a  good  swim  and 
gave  the  horses  a  thorough  soaking. 

Detailed  again  on  the  26th  with  wagons  for  hay  and 
grain.  Our  two  howitzers  were  exchanged  for  Parrott 
guns,  and  it  did  seem  as  though  something  unusual  might 
now  transpire.  The  next  day  we  had  a  little  life  in  camp, 
receiving  a  number  of  infantry  boys  who  had  been  out  to 
the  front  on  picket. 

Nothing  occurred  on  Sunday,  the  27th,  except  a  mounted 

8 


114  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    E.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [July, 

inspection,  which  seemed  to  be  very  fashionable.  This  time 
everything  seemed  satisfactory.  The  story  tellers  had  more 
news ;  we  were  going  to  take  Richmond,  sure,  in  a  few  days. 

On  the  30th  the  thermometer  registered  over  100  degrees 
in  the  shade.  The  scourge  of  bluebottle  flies  kept  growing 
worse;  they  became  uncomfortably  familiar  with  us.  On 
detail  at  the  Landing  again,  where  the  fleet  of  steam  and 
sailing  craft  was  constantly  increasing  in  numbers.  The 
monitors  Dakota  and  Galena  appeared  to  be  on  picket  duty 
on  the  river;  the  steamers  Canonicus,  Commodore,  State  of 
Maine,  and  a  number  of  others  whose  names  I  could  not 
learn  lay  alongside  the  river  bank. 

The  Landing  had  grown  to  be  a  miniature  city,  with  post 
office  quarters,  sutlers,  photographic  tent,  commissary 
stores,  hospitals,  and  everything  that  goes  to  make  up  an 
army,  with  a  camp  of  negro  contrabands,  which  altogether 
made  a  very  enlivening  scene. 

July  31st  was  if  anything  hotter  than  its  predecessors. 
The  stench  in  this  camp  grew  intolerable,  and  fevers  and 
diarrhoea  were  quite  prevalent.  Battery  B  was  reported 
to  have  new  Napoleon  guns. 

About  1.30  on  the  morning  of  August  1st  we  had  for  a 
few  minutes  all  the  excitement  we  desired.  The  rebels  got 
a  battery  over  on  the  high  ground  above  Cozzen's  Point  and 
opened  across  the  river  on  our  fleet  of  transports,  which  car 
ried  our  supplies.  It  was  said  that  the  wildest  confusion 
prevailed  among  the  negroes  and  shipping,  and  by  the  way 
that  we  afterward  found  things  huddled  up  at  the  Point  we 
could  well  believe  the  truth  of  the  statement.  The  gun 
boats  got  to  work  and  soon  drove  them  off,  and  troops  were 
sent  over  to  occupy  the  ground  to  prevent  any  more  such 
proceedings.  The  army  was  soon  out  in  line  ready  to  move, 
but  was  quickly  ordered  back  to  its  quarters.  There  was 
excitement  enough  in  our  camp.  Our  battery  hitched  up 
as  soon  as  possible.  Our  section  got  out  quite  a  distance 


1862.]  HARRISON'S  LANDING  115 

when  orders  came  to  stop.  The  night  was  intensely  dark. 
It  could  not  have  been  darker  if  one  had  been  blindfolded. 

On  the  2d  we  heard  that  seven  men  had  been  killed  and 
a  number  wounded,  and  that  considerable  damage  had  been 
done  to  the  shipping.  Rumors  were  rife  that  we  were  to 
advance  again.  Some  of  Hooker's  Third  Corps  moved  out 
on  the  road  toward  Malvern  Hill.  Our  corps  was  re-en 
forced  by  the  Fifty-ninth  New  York,  Colonel  Tidball.  It 
was  assigned  to  the  Second  Brigade,  Second  Division. 

The  3d  and  4th  were  dull  days.  Fought  flies  till  late  in 
the  afternoon  of  the  4th,  and  then  started  out  of  our  line  of 
entrenchments,  and  marched  till  about  1.30  A.  M.  of  the  5th 
in  the  direction  of  Charles  City  Court  House,  and  halted 
until  after  daylight.  Sedgwick's  Second  Division  was  at 
tached  to  General  Hooker's  Third  Corps  with  a  heavy  body 
of  cavalry  and  horse  artillery.  There  appeared  to  be  a 
grand  reconnoi sauce  in  force. 

After  daylight  on  the  5th  our  column  started  on  the  ad 
vance  with  strong  skirmish  lines  thrown  out,  and  it  was 
not  long  before  we  heard  heavy  artillery  firing  in  the  direc 
tion  of  Malvern  Hill.  We  marched  over  Charles  City  Road 
to  near  White  Oak  Swamp,  the  same  road  we  had  retreated 
over  after  Savage  Station  in  the  seven  days'  fighting. 
After  hearing  the  firing  our  column  started  on  a  quick 
march  toward  Malvern  Hill,  where  a  small  engagement  took 
place  between  our  cavalry  and  horse  artillery  and  a  force 
of  rebels  at  that  place;  but  according  to  reports  Hooker's 
plan  failed,  which  was  to  capture  that  force,  which  con 
sisted  of  only  about  fifteen  hundred  men  and  one  light  bat 
tery.  It  was  said  that  the  failure  was  caused  by  General 
Frank  Patterson,  a  son  of  the  General  Patterson  who  had 
command  of  our  forces  at  Harper's  Ferry  and  who  allowed 
the  Confederate  general,  Johnston,  to  elude  him  and  join 
Beauregard  at  Bull  Run,  thus  contributing  to  the  defeat  of 
the  Union  forces  at  that  battle.  Our  forces  lost  four  men 


116  BATTERY    A,    FIKST    II.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Aug., 

killed  and  twelve  wounded.  Captain  Benson  of  the  regular 
artillery  was  killed.  We  captured  about  fifty  prisoners  and 
found  two  dead  rebels.  We  took  a  good  position  on  the  hill 
and  went  into  battery  with  guns  facing  toward  White  Oak 
Swamp.  General  McClellan  appeared  to  be  in  good  spirits 
over  the  work. 

August  6th  was  spent  on  the  hill,  and  was  a  very  pleas 
ant  day,  a  great  change  from  the  Landing.  McClellan's 
headquarters  were  in  a  brick  house  called  the  Malvern 
house,  and  by  some  called  Binford's. 

We  had  had  such  a  pleasant  day  that  we  had  made  up 
our  minds  for  a  pleasant  night,  when  to  our  surprise  we 
were  very  suddenly,  about  midnight,  ordered  to  hitch  up 
and  be  ready  to  march.  There  had  been  some  picket  firing, 
so  I  expected  that  that  was  the  trouble;  but  it  was  not  the 
trouble  for  we  started  apparently  on  the  retreat  towards 
Harrison's  Landing.  About  half  way  we  came  up  to  Gen 
eral  Couch's  line  of  battle,  which  wTas  in  support,  and  we 
marched  through  it,  General  Couch  taking  the  rear. 

August  7th  we  arrived  back  in  camp  about  4  o'clock 
A.  MV  and,  after  caring  for  the  horses,  turned  in  until 
reveille.  It  was  a  very  hot  day  and  our  old  enemy,  the  flies, 
were  thicker  than  ever.  I  thought  I  would  rather  even 
have  the  rebels  in  close  proximity  to  me  than  to  be  annoyed 
by  these  pests. 

The  8th  I  think  was  of  all  hot  days  the  hottest  I  ever  saw. 
It  was  fearful,  and  the  night  was  not  much  better.  I  had 
the  good  luck  to  be  sent  that  day  to  the  Landing  again  on 
detail.  I  bought  a  few  things  of  the  sutler,  but  not  many, 
as  my  month's  pay  would  not  permit  it.  Thermometer 
was  reported  to  be  110  degrees  in  the  shade. 

On  the  9th  all  hands  were  set  at  work  cleaning  the  bat 
tery  equipments,  which  needed  it  very  much.  In  place  of 
mud  this  time  it  was  dust,  the  same  old  Virginia  soil,  only 
put  on  dry,  and  I  didn't  know  which  was  the  worst  to  get 


1862.]  HARRISON'S  LANDING  117 

rid  of.     At  any  rate  the  harnesses  looked  enough  better  to 
compensate  us  for  our  labor. 

Sunday  August  10th.  Another  hot  day  and  quiet;  all 
our  sick  and  wounded  left  the  hospital  and  went  on  board 
the  old  steamer  Canonicus.  A  number  of  the  boys  were 
down  to  see  them  off.  Among  those  who  left  us  were  Sergt. 
John  H.  Hammond,  Privates  Thomas  Jollie,  Richard  Per- 
cival,  George  W.  Chaffee,  Hezekiah  W.  and  Levi  Luther,  Al- 
bourne  W.  Marcy,  Stephen  Walker,  and  my  old  friend 
James  Cooper,  who  was  wounded  at  Malvern  Hill,  and 
Simeon  M.  Sedlinger  who  was  wounded  at  Glendale. 

On  the  llth  there  was  considerable  activity  in  the  morn 
ing  for  it  was  reported  that  we  were  to  evacuate,  and  all 
baggage  was  put  on  board  of  transports  to  be  sent  away. 
We  were  also  ordered  to  have  six  days'  rations  prepared 
and  to  be  ready  to  march  at  a  moment's  notice.  It  looked 
like  another  retreat.  WThether  the  army  could  fight  its  way 
through  that  trip  or  not  was  a  question. 

On  the  12th  we  were  overrun  with  reports  and  rumors 
of  contemplated  movements,  and  so  conflicting  were  they 
that  it  was  impossible  to  believe  any  of  them. 

On  the  13th,  I  had  another  detail  to  the  Landing,  to  take 
extra  baggage  for  the  officers  returning,  rations  for  the  men, 
and  hay  and  grain  for  the  horses.  I  had  a  good  chance  to 
see  the  place  that  day.  A  great  many  of  the  tents  had  been 
taken  away,  the  contraband  camp  had  gone,  also  the  corral 
for  the  horses  and  mules,  and  considerable  of  the  shipping. 
There  seemed  to  be  more  gunboats,  or  else  I  could  see  them 
better  than  I  did  on  previous  days.  The  old  Harrison 
mansion  with  all  its  buildings,  large  granary,  etc.,  was 
still  standing  and  occupied  by  some  of  the  officers  of  differ 
ent  departments.  It  was  said  to  have  been  built  by  and  to 
have  received  its  name  from  Benjamin  Harrison,  one  of  the 
signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  was  also 
the  birthplace  of  William  Henry  Harrison,  one  of  the  presi 
dents  of  the  United  States. 


118  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Aug., 

August  14th  I  went  again  to  the  Landing  with  Ben  Ship- 
pee  and  came  near  getting  into  trouble  through  it,  as  I  was 
wanted  in  camp  and  had  not  been  detailed;  Shippee  told 
them  it  was  his  fault,  as  he  understood  that  I  was  to  go, 
and  told  me  to  go  with  him,  so  I  was  excused. 

August  15th.  All  was  excitement  that  morning;  troops 
were  steadily  marching  past.  The  battery  was  hitched  up 
and  everything  packed  and  ready  for  marching  orders,  but 
no  move  for  us. 


1862.]  HARRISON'S  LANDING  119 

CHAPTER  VI 

FROM   HARRISON'S  LANDING  TO  ANTIETAM. 

AUGUST  16tb.  At  length  the  day  arrived.  At  an 
early  hour  we  broke  camp  and  started  out  by  what 
was  called  the  River  road.  The  roads  were  rough 
and  hilly  compared  'with  what  we  had  seen  on  the  Penin 
sula,  but  it  was  a  very  fine  country  abounding  in  grain, 
wheat,  cane,  and  fruit  before  any  of  our  troops  had  passed 
through  it.  Our  advance  must  have  confiscated  a  liberal 
share  of  the  good  things  to  their  own  use  for  when  our  bat 
tery  came  up  the  region  roundabout  looked  as  if  a  cyclone 
had  struck  it;  yet  we  managed  to  find  some  fruit  for  our 
selves  and  some  grain  for  our  horses. 

Sunday,  August  17th.  We  started  about  seven  o'clock 
that  morning  and  had  the  most  disagreeable  day  I  ever  ex 
perienced.  The  roads  were  dry  and  dusty,  and  so  many 
thousands  of  men  and  horses  marching  over  them  that  the 
earth  seemed  to  be  converted  into  snuff.  The  trail  of  the 
army  could  be  seen  for  ten  miles.  The  dust  was  half  an 
inch  thick  on  everything  wherever  it  made  a  lodgment.  It 
was  suffocating  to  men  and  horses.  We  passed  Charles 
City  Court  House  and  crossed  the  Chickahominy  River  on 
the  longest  pontoon  bridge  I  ever  saw.  It  required  a  thou 
sand  or  more  boats  to  build  it.  It  was  very  firm.  The 
march  affected  the  horses  more  than  it  did  the  men.  We 
passed  a  number  of  horses  on  the  road  which  were  com 
pletely  used  up.  As  soon  as  one  gave  out  he  was  killed. 
There  were  three  gunboats  just  below  the  bridge  protecting 
our  crossing,  which  was  called  Bartlett's  Ferry.  The  bridge 
was  laid  by  Captains  Spaulding  and  Duane  of  the  Fiftieth 
New  York  Regiment.  It  was  a  fine  piece  of  engineering. 


120  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Aug., 

August  18th.  We  made  quite  a  stay  at  the  crossing  at 
Bartlett's  Ferry  that  morning,  as  we  had  to  wait  for  the  in 
fantry  to  cross  the  bridge.  We  did  not  get  away  until  after 
ten  o'clock.  Considerable  cavalry  and  horse  artillery 
crossed  after  them,  a  few  rebels  showed  themselves  and 
were  fired  at  by  our  horse  artillery,  but  they  did  not  make 
any  attack.  One  gunboat  was  close  to  the  bridge  that 
morning.  After  marching  we  camped  early  in  the  after 
noon  as  the  men  and  horses  needed  rest. 

August  19th.  We  made  an  early  start  that  morning  and 
had  a  hot  and  dusty  trip.  We  passed  through  Willianis- 
burg,  but  could  not  stop  to  see  it  as  we  would  have  liked 
to.  It  plainly  showed  the  effects  of  the  war.  Some  an 
cient-looking  guns  were  lying  around  on  the  earthworks, 
the  abattis  still  remained  in  front  of  them.  The  antiquity 
of  the  old  town  was  very  apparent.  We  marched  out  past 
Fort  Magruder  where  Hancock  made  his  famous  charge, 
and  went  into  camp  near  a  mill  pond,  which  was  a  fine  place 
to  bathe  and  where  I  had  a  half  hour's  swim.  About  every 
man  in  our  division  took  a  bath  that  night. 

August  20th.  We  started  at  6.30  A.  M.  and  marched 
nine  miles,  and  encamped  about  a  mile  from  Yorktown  near 
the  York  River,  where  everybody  enjoyed  a  bath  in  salt 
water,  the  first  we  had  had  in  a  long  time.  We  also  had 
a  fine  mess  of  oysters  and  quahaugs. 

August  21st.  We  started  early  that  morning  and 
marched  through  Yorktown  over  the  corduroy  roads  which 
were  built  during  the  siege,  and  arrived  at  Hampton  about 
five  o'clock.  It  was  the  hardest  march  we  had  had  on  the 
trip.  There  was  plenty  of  life  there  as  far  as  I  could  see. 
The  harbor  was  full  of  vessels  of  every  description,  includ 
ing  of  course  gunboats  and  transports  of  all  kinds. 

August  22d.  After  some  wrork  in  cleaning  that  day  the 
members  of  the  battery  went  looking  around  to  see  what 
could  be  seen.  I  found  great  pleasure  fishing  for  crabs 


1862.]  HAMPTON  121 

from  the  pontoon  bridge  which  connected  Hampton  to 
Fortress  Monroe ;  the  tide  runs  very  fast  there.  It  was  fine 
-sport;  besides  it  was  a  great  treat  to  me.  That  night  about 
every  man  in  our  battery  had  boiled  crabs  for  supper.  The 
mode  of  catching  them  was  to  tie  a  junk  of  pork  on  a  stick 
-or  pole  and  lower  it  into  the  water  and  then  raise  it  gently ; 
sometimes  we  found  two  or  three  hanging  to  it;  when  the 
crab  was  near  the  top  was  the  time  to  act  quickly ;  some  flip 
ped  them  out  but  did  not  succeed  as  well.  We  made  a  net 
out  of  anything  suitable  and  put  it  on  a  stick;  when  near 
the  top  we  slipped  it  under  the  crabs  and  then  we  had 
them  sure.  We  had  the  most  fun  with  one  of  the  negroes 
who  was  very  black  and  of  large  proportions.  He  had  a 
load  of  melons  which  he  was  selling  from  a  boat.  There 
was  a  submarine  diver  on  a  war  vessel  near  by  whom  they 
lowered  and  pulled  under  the  melon  boat  and  then  raised 
him  until  he  could  put  his  arm  into  the  boat  which  lie  did 
and  took  a  large  melon.  When  the  negro  saw  the  diver  he 
started  backwards,  over  the  stern  into  the  water,  and  it 
took  a  number  of  soldiers  to  save  him  from  drowning.  It 
was  rough  on  the  darky  but  a  funny  sight  to  look  at. 

August  23d.  I  liked  this  place  better  than  any  I  had 
been  in  since  the  war.  There  was  lots  of  excitement  day 
and  night.  Troops  Avere  being  shipped  continually.  Our 
corps  went  to  Newport  News,  to  ship  from  there.  It  was 
reported  that  we  were  to  join  Pope's  army.  With  the  crab 
fishing  and  other  excitement  I  would  have  liked  to  stay 
there  a  long  time. 

Sunday,  August  24th.  We  had  another  of  those  Vir 
ginia  rains,  but  there  was  so  much  fun  there  that  I  did  not 
care  for  the  rain.  The  guns  of  our  battery  and  Kirby's 
were  taken  to  the  landing  and  put  on  board  the  ferryboat 
Jefferson;  the  battery  with  horses  and  drivers  were  not 
loaded  until  two  days  later. 

August  25th  there  was  great   excitement.     The  officers 


122          BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [Aug., 

did  all  in  their  power  to  get  the  troops  on  board  of  trans 
ports.  The  contrabands  here  afforded  us  considerable 
amusement.  I  saw  one  that  seemed  to  be  seven  feet  tall; 
his  shoes  looked  like  boxes  made  of  leather;  he  was  well 
dressed  in  a  suit  of  Vermont  gray  cloth  and  neat  in  appear 
ance.  He  was  very  black,  and,  with  a  broad  grin  on  his 
face,  an  open  month  showing  his  white  teeth,  and  his  gen 
eral  appearance  altogether  made  him  a  noticeable  object. 

August  26th  was  a  busy  day.  We  began  early  loading 
our  horses  on  the  schooners  Buena  Vista  and  Clara  Belle. 
They  were  taken  in  tow  by  a  tug  and  anchored  off  Fortress 
Monroe  and  we  awaited  orders.  We  remained  there  until 
after  six  o'clock,  when  the  steamer  Forest  City  took  us  in 
tow  and  we  started  up  the  Chesapeake  Bay. 

The  situation  at  this  time  looked  exceedingly  gloomy  for 
the  Union  cause.  Our  army  had  met  with  reverses  on  the 
Peninsula  which  was  the  cause  of  great  anxiety  to  the  au 
thorities  at  Washington  and  gave  the  rebel  sympathizers 
great  encouragement.  President  Lincoln  Avas  the  most  op 
pressed  man  in  the  Union ;  his  enemies  were  numerous,  and 
his  so-calle.d  friends  were  besieging  him  in  every  direction. 
During  the  months  of  July  and  August,  1862,  it  is  doubtful 
if  any  man  ever  went  through  a  more  trying  ordeal  than  he 
did.  It  Avas  during  these  months  that  Walt  Whitman's 
sayings  of  Abraham  Lincoln  came  true.  His  cabinet,  es 
pecially  his  secretary  of  war,  Avere  fighting  him  in  front  and 
rear,  and  it  Avas  through  the  blunders  of  the  latter  as  much 
as  anything  that  caused  the  disaster  of  the  Second  Bull 
Run,  by  his  holding  the  Second  Corps  in  front  of  Wash 
ington  instead  of  its  going  to  the  front,  Avhich  they  had  am 
ple  time  to  do,  although  it  had  only  tAvo  of  its  batteries  up 
—A,  First  Rhode  Island,  Tompkins's,  and  Battery  I,  First 
United  States,  Kirby's.  Had  that  corps  gone  to  the  front 
the  disaster  at  Chantilly  never  Avould  have  happened,  or  the 
battle  of  Antietam  ever  been  fought.  It  was  about  this 


1862.]  HAMPTON  123 

time  that  Horace  Greely  wrote  President  Lincoln  a  very 
severe  letter,  so  much  so  the  President  did  not  take  time  to 
answer  by  mail  but  telegraphed  the  following  reply: 

"If  there  be  those  who  would  not  save  the  Union  unless 
they  could  at  the  same  time  save  slavery,  I  do  not  agree 
with  them.  If  there  be  those  who  would  not  save  the  Union 
unless  they  could  at  the  same  time  destroy  slavery,  I  do  not 
agree  with  them.  My  paramount  object  is  to  save  the 
Union,  and  not  either  to  save  or  destroy  slavery.  If  I  could 
save  the  Union  without  freeing  any  slaves,  I  would  do  it; 
and  if  I  could  do  it  by  freeing  all  the  slaves,  I  would  do  it ; 
and  if  I  could  save  it  by  freeing  some  and  leaving  others 
alone,  I  would  also  do  that.  What  I  do  about  slavery  and 
the  colored  race,  I  do  because  I  believe  it  helps  to  save  the 
Union;  and  what  I  forbear  I  forbear  because  I  do  not  be 
lieve  it  would  help  to  save  the  Union.  I  shall  do  less  when 
ever  I  shall  believe  what  I  am  doing  hurts  the  cause,  and  I 
shall  do  more  whenever  I  believe  doing  more  will  help  the 
cause." 

Meantime,  on  March  0,  1802,  the  President  had  recom 
mended  to  Congress  that  a  resolution  be  adopted  "that  the 
United  States  ought  to  co-operate  with  any  State  which 
may  adopt  gradual  abolition  of  slavery,  giving  to  such  state 
pecuniary  aid,  to  be  used  by  such  State,  in  its  discre 
tion,  to  compensate  it  for  the  inconveniences,  public 
and  private,  produced  by  such  change  of  system.''  The 
resolution  was  adopted,  but  produced  no  effect.  Imme 
diately  after  the  battle  of  Antietam  the  president  issued 
a  proclamation  (Sept.  22-,  1862,)  in  which,  after  declaring 
his  determination  to  prosecute  the  war  for  the  effect  of 
practically  restoring  the  constitutional  relation  between 
the  Union  and  the  several  states,  and  that  it  was  his  pur 
pose  at  the  next  meeting  of  Congress  to  recommend  some 
practical  measure  of  assistance  in  emancipation  to  those 
states  which  \vould  voluntarily  accept  it  he  proceeded  to 
announce  that  on  the  first  day  of  January,  1863,  all  persons 


124  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [Aug., 

held  as  slaves  within  any  state  or  designated  part  of  a  state 
the  people  whereof  should  then  be  in  rebellion,  should  be 
then,  thenceforward,  and  forever,  free,  and  the  executive 
government,  including  the  military  and  naval  authority 
thereof,  would  maintain  such  freedom. 

Wednesday,  the  27th,  we  arrived  at  Acquia  Creek,  and  ex 
pected  to  land,  but  soon  received  orders  to  go  to  Alexan 
dria.  It  was  reported  that  Pope  had  been  driven  back  and 
that  our  corps  had  arrived  too  late.  We  were  now  com 
pelled  to  put  forth  superhuman  efforts  to  reach  Washington 
in  time  to  head  off  Lee's  army. 

August  28th  our  schooner  started  up  the  river  by  day 
light  and  had  a  pleasant  sail  up  passing  by  Fort  Washing 
ton  and  Mount  Vernon,  and  arriving  at  Alexandria  about 
ten  o'clock,  and  by  five  o'clock  had  our  horses  disembarked, 
hitched  onto  the  guns,  and  encamped  that  night  just  out 
side  the  city.  It  was  an  ancient-looking  place,  and  about 
seven  miles  below  Washington  on  the  Potomac.  It  was 
settled  in  1748,  and  then  called  Bell  Haven.  It  was  then 
a  thriving  seaport,  having  a  large  foreign  trade.  At  the 
time  of  the  war  there  was  very  little  shipping  there.  It  was 
at  this  place  Colonel  Ellsworth  met  his  untimely  fate  in 
May,  1861.  He  very  rashly  entered  the  Marshall  House  to 
take  possession  of  a  rebel  flag  that  was  flying  from  the  top 
of  the  roof,  instead  of  sending  his  men  to  do  it,  and  was  shot 
by  Jackson,  the  proprietor,  who  was  walking  up  and  down 
the  corridor  with  a  shotgun  swearing  he  would  shoot  anyone 
who  should  take  the  flag  down.  Jackson  should  have  been 
put  under  arrest  and  men  sent  to  take  the  flag;  but  Ells 
worth,  a  very  young  colonel  with  the  Zouaves  at  his  back, 
did  not  heed  the  warning  and  threw  his  life  away.  Jack 
son  was  immediately  shot  by  Brownell,  one  of  Ellsworth's 
men.  The  house  was  a  large  plain-looking  building,  with 
flat  roof,  and  has  been  torn  to  pieces  by  relic  hunters. 
At  the  time  of  our  occupation  of  the  place  the  public  build- 


1862.]  ALEXANDRIA  125 

ings  and  a  number  of  the  private  dwellings  were  used  as 
hospitals  and  quarters  for  officers. 

The  greatest  object  of  interest  was  the  old  Christ  Epis 
copal  Church;  it  Avas  erected  in  1765,  of  imported  brick. 
It  was  in  a  rather  retired  place  surrounded  by  a  very  high 
fence.  It  was  here  General  Washington  once  worshiped; 
his  pew,  prayer-book,  and  cushions  still  remain  as  they  were 
at  the  time  he  last  attended  service.  While  here  we  heard 
reports  that  Pope  had  been  flanked  and  was  being  pushed 
back  on  Washington. 

August  29th  was  a  day  of  great  excitement  as  it  was  re 
ported  that  our  army  had  been  defeated  and  was  falling 
back  on  Washington,  fighting  their  way  step  by  step.  Our 
battery  was  under  the  escort  of  the  Seventh  Michigan  and 
Fifty-ninth  New  York,  and  left  for  Chain  Bridge,  and 
passed  out  through  Fort  Eunyon  on  the  road  to  Manassas. 
It  was  the  same  road  that  we  passed  over  on  our  way  to 
the  first  Bull  Run.  We  turned  off  at  Fort  Ethan  Allen  so 
as  to  cover  Chain  Bridge.  We  took  position  one  mile  from 
the  fort,  which  was  occupied  by  the  Eleventh  New  Jersey, 
Seventy-first  New  York,  and  One  Hundred  and  Twenty- 
third  Pennsylvania,  and  camped  for  the  night. 

On  the  30th  excitement  ran  high,  rumors  of  every  descrip 
tion  were  rife,  and  an  attack  on  Washington  was  momen 
tarily  expected.  There  was  heavy  artillery  firing  through 
the  day  in  the  direction  of  Manassas.  Two  cavalry  regi 
ments  passed  out  on  a  reconnoisance  towards  Leesburg. 
About  five  o'clock  we  hitched  up  in  quick  time  and  marched 
back  through  Fort  Ethan  Allen,  across  the  river  by  Chain 
Bridge,  and  proceeded  up  the  river  road  until  about  eight 
o'clock,  when  we  came  to  where  Dana's  brigade  was  en 
camped  and  where  the  battery  halted  for  the  night. 

On  August  31st  the  battery  was  turned  out  about  three 
A.  M.  and  found  that  our  corps  was  together  again  for  the 
first  time  since  we  left  Yorktown.  We  marched  through 


126  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Sept., 

Georgetown  over  the  Aqueduct  Bridge  and  took  the  road  to 
Fairfax  Court  House.  About  daylight  it  commenced  to 
rain,  and  we  began  to  meet  prisoners  from  Stonewall  Jack 
son's  corps  who  informed  us  we  were  not  far  from  the 
enemy.  It  made  us  think  of  our  first  trip  through  Fairfax 
a  little  over  a  year  before.  We  came  to  a  halt  about  1.30 
p.  M.  and  lay  there  until  about  seven  P.  MV  when  we  started 
again,  and,  after  considerable  marching  and  countermarch 
ing,  we  reached  Fairfax  Court  House  about  midnight,  and 
remained  there  the  rest  of  the  night. 

September  1st  we  were  turned  out  early  again  and  tried 
to  get  something  to  eat  before  going  into  a  battle  which  we 
were  about  sure  was  impending  from  reports  of  stragglers 
who  had  been  coming  in  through  the  night.  Our*army  had 
been  defeated  at  every  point  and  there  had  been  great 
slaughter.  At  about  G.30  we  marched  out  as  far  as  Ger 
mantown  and  went  into  position  facing  Chantilly ;  troops 
marched  past  us  all  day.  It  was  reported  that  General 
McDowell  had  lost  about  all  his  artillery.  About  4.30  a 
very  sharp  engagement  took  place,  General  Kearny's  com 
mand  being  attacked  by  Stonewall  Jackson's  corps.  It 
rained  very  hard.  The  engagement  lasted  until  about  dark. 
It  was  here  that  General  Kearny,  one  of  the  bravest  of  the 
brave,  met  his  untimely  death.  He  went  out  to  reconnoiter 
the  enemy's  position,  and  suddenly  rode  into  their  lines, 
and,  in  attempting  to  escape,  was  killed.  General  (Stone 
wall)  Jackson,  coming  to  the  spot,  and,  glancing  at  the 
features  of  the  dead  general,  said:  "My  God,  boys,  do  you 
know  who  you  have  killed?  You  have  shot  the  most  gal 
lant  officer  in  the  United  States  army.  This  is  Phil  Kearny 
who  lost  his  arm  in  the  Mexican  War."  His  remains  were 
sent  into  our  lines  under  a  flag  of  truce  in  an  ambulance, 
his  horse  following  behind  with  an  empty  saddle.  It  was, 
indeed,  a  sad  sight.  Gen.  Isaac  I.  Stevens  was  also  killed 
at  this  battle.  Why  our  corps  had  not  been  sent  out  before 


1862.]  CHANTILLY  127 

instead  of  keeping  it  around  Georgetown,  was  a  mystery 
inexplainable  to  us.  About  seven  o'clock  we  marched  back 
to  Fairfax  Court  House  and  camped  on  about  the  same  spot 
we  did  on  our  trip  to  the  first  Bull  Run.  According  to  re 
ports  that  night  from  soldiers  coming  in  from  the  front, 
our  troops  had  been  ruthlessly  slaughtered.  It  seemed  in 
credible  to  believe,  yet  by  all  accounts  our  army  appeared 
to  have  been  badly  defeated. 

On  the  2d,  while  lying  at  Fairfax,  troops  marched  past 
us  all  night.  Both  McClellan  and  Pope's  armies  were  in 
full  retreat,  and,  to  all  appearances,  the  Second  Corps  with 
the  veteran  Simmer  at  its  head  was  to  take  the  rear.  Our 
battery  left  Fairfax  about  eight  A.  M.  and  went  into  line  of 
battle  with  the  Second  Corps  at  what  was  called  Flint  Hill, 
where  we  remained  all  day.  By  great  clouds  of  dust  that 
could  be  seen  in  the  distance,  the  Confederate  army  seemed 
to  be  marching  towards  the  upper  Potomac.  After  all  of 
our  troops  had  passed  us  we  marched  on  the  Vienna  or 
Langley  road.  It  was  getting  quite  dark  and  we  had  not 
gone  far  when  a  battery  opened  on  us,  seemingly  from  Fair 
fax  Court  House.  General  Simmer  ordered  our  right  sec 
tion  into  position  on  the  road  with  the  First  Minnesota  un 
der  Colonel  Sully.  The  two  wings  of  this  regiment  sup 
porting  us  were  placed  on  each  side  of  our  guns.  After  get 
ting  into  position  General  Simmer  was  desirous  of  getting 
word  to  some  pickets  which  had  been  left  in  close  proximity 
to  the  enemy,  and  he  said  to  his  orderlies:  "If  any  of  you 
will  volunteer  to  go  and  get  those  men  they  can  be  saved; 
but  none  of  his  orderlies  made  an  attempt  to  move.  John 
F.  Leach,  our  guidon  bearer,  acting  as  orderly  for  Captain 
Tompkins,  overhearing  General  Simmer,  rode  up  and  said  to 
the  orderlies:  "You  are  a  lot  of  cowards!"  then,  saluting 
the  general,  said:  "I.  will  go,  general,  if  my  captain 
will  let  me."  Captain  Tompkins  said:  "John,  if  you  go 
it  will  be  on  your  own  account;  I  will  not  order  you  to  go." 


128  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Sept.r 

As  he  was  about  to  start  General  Simmer  rode  up  to  him, 
saying :  "You  are  a  brave  boy,"  and,  patting  him  on  the 
shoulder,  said :  "God  bless  you,  my  son,  God  bless  you ;" 
and  further  said  to  him:  "If  you  succeed  and  get  those 
men  away  take  a  careful  look  down  the  road  and  see  how 
far  off  the  enemy  are."  Leach  started  and  was  successful 
in  finding  the  men ;  then  as  the  general  had  asked  him  to  do, 
he  rode  down  for  quite  a  distance  to  a  bend  in  the  road,  and, 
before  he  knew  what  he  was  about,  he  was  face  to  face  with 
a  troop  of  cavalry.  He  turned  as  soon  as  possible,  and,  at 
the  same  time,  shouted  at  the  top  of  his  voice :  "Here  they 
be;  here  they  be;"  and,  putting  his  horse,  which  was  wind- 
broken,  at  his  top  speed,  started  to  return  to  our  lines.  It 
was  a  race  for  life  for  quite  a  distance  with  the  bullets  fly 
ing  thickly  around  him.  Although  our  battery  and  the  Min 
nesota  regiment  were  in  a  trying  position  the  men  could  not 
help  laughing  when  they  saw  Leach  and  his  horse  coming 
towards  them,  with  the  horse  snorting  at  every  jump  as  he 
could  be  distinctly  heard  as  he  rode  towards  our  position 
where  everything  was  hushed  in  stillness  in  momentary  ex 
pectation  of  an  attack  from  the  Confederates.  He  was  suc 
cessful,  however,  in  reaching  our  lines  unharmed.  Colonel 
Sully  Avalked  up  and  down  the  line  giving  his  orders,  and 
saying :  "If  any  man  shoots  before  he  gets  the  order  I  will 
have  him  shot."  He  also  gave  our  men  at  the  guns  the  same 
order.  We  had  not  long  to  wait  before  rebel  cavalry  made 
their  appearance,  and  the  orders  of  the  officer  in  command 
were  plainly  heard  as  they  came  up  in  good  order  little 
thinking  what  was  in  store  for  them,  until  it  seemed  as  if 
they  were  within  reaching  distance,  when  at  last  Colonel 
Sully  gave  the  order:  "Fire!"  Every  man  in  that  regiment 
and  battery  seemed  to  fire  as  one ;  the  slaughter  was  fearful. 
The  rebel  colonel  who  could  be  heard  so  plainly  giving  his 
orders  was  killed.  The  firing  was  so  sudden  that  the  horses 
attached  to  the  limbers  became  frightened  and  ran  away, 


LIEUT.-COL.  THOMAS   FREDERICK  BROWN. 

Enrolled  Corporal  Battery  A  ;  Second  Lieutenant  Battery  C  ;  First  Lieutenant 
Battery  B  ;  Captain  same  battery;  Brevet  Major  ;  Lieutenant-Colonel. 


1862.]  FAIRFAX  COURT  HOUSE  129 

tipping  over  the  limbers  and  breaking  the  pole  of  one  of 
them.  Here  Leach  appeared  again  on  the  scene,  and,  being 
mounted,  he  soon  overtook  the  lead  horses  and  brought  them 
to  a  stand.  Bnt  our  troops  in  advance  were  greatly  startled 
at  the  uproar  made,  and  quite  a  panic  ensued  and  a  num 
ber  of  men  were  badly  injured  in  consequence  of  it.  John 
Griffin,  driver  of  the  gun  that  had  the  pole  broken  was  hurt, 
and  the  horses  also.  It  took  some  time  to  fix  it,  and  Col 
onel  Sully  Avanted  to  leave  it,  but  Captain  Tompkins  would 
not  consent  to  it,  and  it  was  finally  patched  up  and  saved 
and  there  was  no  more  trouble  that  night. 

General  Sumner  gave  the  section  great  credit  for  the  part 
it  accomplished  in  saving  the  gun  which  Colonel  Sully 
wanted  to  leave  in  the  road.  We  arrived  at  Fort  Ethan 
Allen  about  three  o'clock  A.  M.,  went  into  position  and  then 
waited  for  the  infantry  to  come  up.  Our  corps  marched 
across  Chain  Bridge  and  went  into  camp  at  Tenallytown. 
Some  of  our  wagons  had  not  arrived  and  the  officers  had  to 
draw  a  mule  wagon  from  the  train.  During  the  excitement 
and  stampede  the  night  before  the  driver  ran  between  two 
trees  and  left  the  team  there.  It  was  reported  all  right  by 
some  cavalry  that  had  been  oiit  there  and  some  one  was 
wanted  to  go  and  bring  it  in.  There  was  no  one  in  the  bat 
tery  who  knew  anything  about  mules,  so  I  volunteered  to  go 
and  take  my  chances,  although  I  had  never  driven  any 
mules;  so  a  man  was  put  on  my  horses  and  I  went  with  a 
troop  of  cavalry,  found  the  mules  all  right  except  that  they 
were  suffering  for  want  of  feed  and  water.  The  place  where 
our  section  had  been  located  was  half  a  mile  beyond,  so,  af 
ter  feeding  the  mules,  I  kept  on  with  our  cavalry  to  see  what 
the  condition  of  affairs  was  in  the  valley.  I  found  a  sight 
there  that  I  shall  never  forget.  The  rebel  cavalry  was  a 
North  Carolina  regiment  under  Colonel  Evans,  and  a  num 
ber  of  them  lay  there  dead  and  wounded,  including  the  col 
onel.  On  the  Union  side  Lieut.  Charles  Zierenberg,  of  the 


130  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    E.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Sept., 

First  Minnesota,  was  mortally  wounded.  I  started  back 
with  the  mules,  and,  on  arriving  at  our  camp,  found  the  bat 
tery  had  gone  with  the  corps  to  Tenallytown,  just  outside 
of  the  District  of  Columbia.  I  got  on  with  the  mules  all 
right.  They  were  all  worn  out  and  hungry.  I  gave  the  lit 
tle  fellows  a  good  supper,  and  lay  down  in  one  of  our  wag 
ons  and  had  a  good  sleep  myself. 

September  4th  was  a  day  of  rest  for  men  and  horses,  and 
was  a  welcome  relief  after  marching  and  countermarching, 
as  we  had  done  for  several  days.  I  had  a  lot  of  fun  with  the 
mules.  They  were  slick  little  fellows  and  could  kick  as 
handy  with  their  front  feet  as  with  their  hind  ones.  No 
one  came  to  take  them,  so  I  had  to  hitch  up  to  go  for  ra 
tions,  and  then  the  fun  began.  I  got  along  well  with  three 
of  them  but  the  fourth  one  would  not  let  me  put  his  collar 
on,  and  I  determined  to  find  out  who  was  the  master.  I 
succeeded  in  getting  the  upper  hand  of  him,  but  waited  for 
some  of  the  teamsters  of  the  wagon  train  to  come  and  take 
charge  of  them. 

During  our  stay  at  Harrison's  Landing,  in  August,  Col. 
James  Evans,  of  the  Seventh  Virginia,  resigned,  and  Col. 
Joseph  Snyder  assumed  command.  Lieut. -Col.  James  J. 
Mooney  and  Maj.  Peter  Bowie,  Forty-second  NewY^ork,  Maj. 
Edward  Z.  Lawrence,  Sixty  first  New  York,  and  Capt.  Wal 
ter  O.  Bartlett,  of  Battery  B,  First  Rhode  Island  Light  Ar 
tillery,  were  honorably  discharged,  and  Lieut.  Nelson  A. 
Miles,  of  the  Twenty-second  Massachusetts,  on  account  of 
his  eminent  services  on  the  Peninsula,  wras  appointed  lieu 
tenant-colonel  of  the  Sixty-first  New  York,  to  fill  the  va 
cancy  caused  by  the  death  at  Fair  Oaks  of  Lieutenant-Col 
onel  Massett.  According  to  Mr.  Ropes's  History  of  the 
Army  under  Pope,  General  Lee's  army  at  Chantilly  should 
have  been  destroyed,  as  Jackson  had  undertaken  one  of  his 
hazardous  movements  on  Tope's  rear,  Longstreet  was  far 
behind,  and  could  not  come  up  until  long  after  nightfall ; 


1862.]  FAIRFAX    COURT    HOUSE  131 

Hooker's  division,  Simmer's  and  Franklin's  corps,  and  the 
two  brigades  of  Couch  were  all  available  to  be  thrown  upon 
Jackson's  right  and  left.  ''Such  an  attack,"  says  Mr.  Ropes 
"would  have  been  fatal  to  Jackson,  as  he  had  absolutely 
no  way  to  retreat." 

On  September  5th  Lee's  army  crossed  the  Potomac  and 
was  marching  on  Baltimore.  General  Williams's  Twelfth 
and  the  Second  Corps,  both  under  General  Sumner,  inarched 
to  Rockville,  Md..  about  twelve  miles,  and  camped  for  the 
night.  It  was  a  fine  country  compared  to  that  we  had  been 
campaigning  in  in  Virginia.  No  one  came  to  claim  the 
mules  so  I  was  compelled  to  go  with  them  myself,  with  the 
hope  that  I  might  be  able  soon  to  relinquish  them  to  the 
care  of  their  rightful  owners. 

September  6th  our  battery  started  out  on  a  reconnoisance 
with  a  squadron  of  cavalry.  We  proceeded  about  four 
miles  at  a  good  pace  and  then  went  into  battery  on  a  hill, 
the  cavalry  taking  about  thirty  prisoners.  Scouts  coming  in 
reported  the  enemy  in  strong  force  about  five  miles  off. 
When  we  returned  to  where  our  two  corps  were  located  we 
found  both  corps  in  line  of  battle  expecting  an  attack.  We 
immediately  went  into  position  with  our  Second  Division 
covering  the  road.  A  man  came  and  took  away  the  mules 
during  the  day  and  I  was  pleased  to  return  to  my  place  on 
the  gun. 

September  Tth  all  kinds  of  rumors  were  rife  as  to  the 
location  of  the  enemy.  We  marched  about  five  miles  that 
day  and  then  went  into  position.  We  afterwards  found 
out  that  the  enemy  were  in  possession  of  Frederick  City  and 
that  our  cavalry  had  driven  Stuart's  troopers  out  of  Pooles- 
ville. 

September  8th  was  a  fine  resting  day  for  our  men  and 
horses.  It  was  such  a  change  from  our  experience  of  wad 
ing  through  Virginia  mud. 

On    September    9th    we    started    about    ten    o'clock    and 


132  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    II.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Sept.r 

marched  nearly  eight  miles  to  what  was  called  Middle- 
burgh.  A  cavalry  fight  was  reported  at  Barnesville,  and 
rumors  of  every  kind  were  in  circulation. 

On  September  10th  we  made  another  short  march  of  about 
eight  miles  on  the  same  route  that  we  took  on  our  way  to 
the  Peninsula,  and  encamped  that  night  at  a  place  called 
Clarksburg. 

On  the  llth  we  made  a  short  march  to  Hyattstown,  and 
formed  in  line  of  battle.  Our  cavalry  skirmishers  advanced 
but  found  no  enemy. 

On  the  12th  we  marched  about  nine  o'clock  to  what  was 
called  Urbana.  Cavalry  and  horse  artillery  were  passing 
by  us  all  the  afternoon.  It  was  said  that  there  were  ten 
thousand  of  them  and  it  seemed  to  me  there  were  more. 
From  this  place  a  very  extended  view  could  be  had,  and  sig 
nals  displayed  at  a  long  distance  could  be  seen,  some  of 
them  even  from  Sugar  Loaf  Mountain. 

On  the  13th  we  made  an  early  start,  marching  through 
Urbana  to  Frederick  City.  We  crossed  the  Monocacy  River 
about  ten  o'clock.  We  found  it  a  fine  country.  The  roads 
were  excellent,  and  everything  appeared  to  be  in  a  flourish 
ing  condition.  We  arrived  at  Monocacy,  where  we  halted 
for  over  an  hour,  feeding  our  horses  and  looking  out 
also  for  our  own  rations.  General  McClellan  passed  us  on 
the  road  and  there  was  the  usual  cheering.  After  becoming 
refreshed  we  continued  our  march  to  Frederick  City,  and 
probably  no  soldier  in  that  army  will  ever  forget  the  recep 
tion  we  received  on  that  occasion.  My  eyes  could  hardly 
believe  what  they  beheld  there.  The  "Stars  and  Stripes" 
were  flying  from  every  house  and  the  people  could  not  do 
enough  for  us,  they  were  so  overjoyed  to  be  delivered  from 
the  rebel  hordes  that  had  occupied  the  place.  The  women 
and  children  were  especially  delighted  and  welcomed  and 
hailed  us  as  their  deliverers,  and  congratulated  us  on  our 
timely  arrival. 


1862.]  FREDERICK    CITY  133 

Our  cavalry  after  driving  the  Confederates  out  of  Fred 
erick  fought  them  near  South  Mountain  Pass.  We  marched 
through  the  city  and  encamped  on  the  outskirts.  We  could 
see  the  smoke  of  artillery  and  hear  the  report  of  the  guns 
quite  plainly,  and  saw  some  of  the  prisoners  that  were 
brought  in.  General  Sunnier  and  staff  received  a  grand  re 
ception  from  the  women  and  children  of  Frederick  City. 
They  appeared  around  our  camp  that  evening  and  con 
tinued  to  thank  us  for  their  "quick  deliverance"  (as  they 
called  it)  from  the  enemy. 

Sunday.  September  14th,  we  broke  camp  about  eight 
o'clock  and  marched  towards  South  Mountain,  and,  after 
considerable  delay  along  the  road,  which  was  one  of  the 
worst  I  ever  saw,  and  after  hard  traveling  up  hill  and  down, 
we  arrived  at  South  Mountain  Pass  about  eight  o'clock  that 
evening.  General  Burnside,  after  a  forced  march  that 
night,  overtook  and  attacked  the  enemy  at  Turner's  Gap 
with  Hooker's  First  and  Reno's  Ninth  Corps,  forcing  Long- 
street  to  abandon  his  position  after  a  very  severe  engage 
ment.  General  Reno,  one  of  the  most  promising  officers  of 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  was  killed  in  that  battle.  Gen 
eral  Franklin  commanded  the  left  column  of  our  army, 
which  was  directed  against  Crarnpton's  Pass,  the  nearest 
pass  of  South  Mountain  which  could  be  crossed  to  the  re 
lief  of  Miles  at  Harper's  Ferry.  Franklin  carried  the  pass 
in  a  brilliant  manner  on  the  afternoon  of  the  14th,  and 
passed  through  into  Pleasant  Valley,  yet  on  the  morning  of 
the  15th  Miles  at  eight  o'clock  surrendered ;  not  only  yield 
ing  twelve  thousand  men  and  all  their  equipments  to  the 
enemy,  but  opening  the  way  for  the  Confederate  generals, 
McLaws  and  Anderson,  to  pass  out  through  Harper's  Ferry, 
or  for  Walker  to  pass  through  that  point  to  their  support 
with  Franklin  not  two  leagues  away.  This  was  the  man 
who  commanded  the  reserves  at  the  first  Bull  Run.  But  we 
must  take  General  McClellan  into  account  for  his  dilatory 


134  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Sept., 

tactics  even  up  to  the  night  of  the  13th,  Avhen  the  greater 
portion  of  his  army  were  at  Frederick,  with  his  left  under 
Franklin  at  Buckeyestown,  Conch  at  Licksville,  and  Reno 
far  in  advance  upon  the  right  at  Middletown,  feeling  the 
enemy.  McClellan,  knoAving  that  Miles  with  twelve  thou 
sand  men  was  in  peril,  should,  on  the  13th  or  14th,  have 
forced  his  way  through  those  passes  into  Pleasant  Valley 
and  taken  McLaws  and  Anderson  in  the  rear.  It  Avas  re 
ported  throughout  the  army  at  that  time  that  General  Miles 
Avas  shot  by  one  of  his  own  men  when  he  made  his  disgrace 
ful  surrender. 

The  remains  of  General  Reno  Avere  brought  past  our  bat 
tery  shortly  after  our  arrival  there.  The  loss  to  the  coun 
try  of  this  gallant  officer  cast  a  gloom  over  our  troops. 
General  Alfred  Pleasonton,  commanding  the  cavalry  divi 
sion,  in  his  report  of  the  operations  of  his  division  at  South 
Mountain,  pays  this  deserved  tribute  to  General  Reno : 
"During  the  cannonading  that  was  then  going  on,  the  ene 
my's  batteries  were  several  times  driven  from  the  gap,  but 
the  contest  assuming  on  each  side  large  proportions,  and 
Major-General  Reno  having  arrived  on  the  field,  I  pointed 
out  to  him  the  positions  of  the  troops  as  1  had  placed  them, 
giving  him  at  the  same  time  those  of  the  enemy.  He  imme 
diately  assumed  the  direction  of  the  operations,  passed  to 
the  front  on  the  mountain  height,  and  Avas  eminently  suc 
cessful  in  driving  the  enemy,  until  he  fell  at  the  moment  he 
Avas  gallantly  leading  his  command  to  a  croAvning  victory. 
The  clear  judgment  and  determined  courage  of  Reno  ren 
dered  the  triumphant  results  obtained  by  the  operations  of 
his  corps  second  to  none  of  the  brilliant  deeds  accomplished 
on  that  field.  At  his  death  a  master-mind  had  passed  aAvay." 
The  distances  in  this  region  seemed  to  be  interminable. 
From  the  tops  of  these  steep  and  lofty  hills  it  seemed  as  if 
Ave  would  be  in  an  engagement  in  a  very  short  time,  as  AVC 
could  both  see  and  hear  the  combatants  of  both  armies  m 


1862.]  SOUTH    MOUNTAIN  135 

deadly  conflict;  but  when  we  arrived  at  the  base  of  those 
hills  the  sounds  of  battle 'would  not  reach  us.  We  did  not 
arrive  at  this  place  until  after  dark,  and,  in  the  meantime, 
we  had  made  a  hard  and  exhaustive  march.  "Daddy  Sum- 
ner,"  as  the  boys  delighted  to  call  him,  never  lagged  when 
there  was  a  fight  going  on.  The  Second  Corps  was  not  en 
gaged  at  the  Gap,  but  General  Hooker's  corps  came  up  to 
the  assistance  of  the  Ninth  Corps  which  had  suffered  se 
verely  in  its  victorious  engagement  through  the  afternoon. 

On  the  morning  of  the  loth  we  made  an  early  march  up 
through  the  pass  and  witnessed  some  dreadful  sights  as  we 
passed  along;  dead  horses  strewed  the  ground  and  other 
evidences  of  a  desperate  struggle  were  not  wanting.  Our 
advance  pursued  the  enemy  towards  Boonesborough.  Our 
battery  passed  through  this  hamlet;  the  church  and  build 
ings  were  filled  with  the  rebel  wounded.  The  inhabitants 
there  appeared  as  delighted  at  our  arrival  as  they  had  been 
at  Frederick  City.  Four  corps  passed  through  the  Gap 
that  day,  also  Sykes's  division  of  the  Fifth  Corps  and 
marched  onward  towards  Antietam  Creek,  where  Lee  was 
reported  as  being  at  a  place  called  Sharpsburg,  near  the 
creek,  and  where  it  was  said  he  was  making  a  stand  with 
the  creek  for  a  protection.  There  was  continual  skirmish 
ing  going  on  along  our  front.  About  dark  our  corps 
marched  through  Keedysville  and  bivouacked  for  the  night. 

On  Thursday,  the  16th,  we  were  astir  early  in  momentary 
expectation  of  a  fight.  About  eight  o'clock  heavy  artillery 
firing  began  and  there  was  considerable  skirmishing  and  a 
very  sharp  engagement  or  two  during  the  day.  Our  divi 
sion  changed  position  to  the  right,  passing  through  Keedys 
ville,  crossed  Antietam  Creek  and  bivouacked  for  the  night 
near  the  creek.  Here  was  another  day  lost  or  thrown  away 
which  allowed  Jackson  time  to  come  up  the  river  and  cross 
at  Shepherdstown  and  re-enforce  Lee  at  Sharpsburg  behind 
Antietam  ("reek.  Franklin  with  the  Sixth  Corps  and 


136  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Sept., 

Couch's  division  was  kept  out  of  supporting*  distance  to 
watch  McLaws  and  Anderson,  who  had  slipped  away  from 
our  generals  and  gone  to  Lee's  assistance.  Had  McClellan 
drawn  Franklin  and  Couch  in  and  made  his  attack  on  the 
morning  of  the  Kith  there  is  no  question  but  that  he  could 
have  defeated  Lee's  army.  Besides,  when  we  take  into 
consideration  that  McClellan  knew  by  a  dispatch  of  Lee's 
picked  up  in  Frederick  on  the  13th  the  position  of  every 
division  of  Lee's  army,  and  that  his  movements  of  a  de 
tached  portion  of  his  forces  upon  Harper's  Ferry  had  com 
pelled  Lee  to  withdraw  six  of  his  divisions,  not  one  of  which 
could,  by  the  most  strenuous  exertions,  have  been  brought 
up  through  the  long,  circuitous  route  which  alone  was  open 
to  them,  to  support  Lee  on  the  Antietam  before  midday  of 
the  16th,  while  a  good  part  of  them  could  not  get  there  be 
fore  the  17th.  Had  he  (McClellan),  instead  of  lying  idle 
on  the  15th  and  16th,  forced  his  four  corps  and  the  division 
of  Sykes's,  constituting  his  right  and  centre,  across  from 
Turner's  Gap  at  the  base  of  South  Mountain  to  Antietam 
Creek,  he  would  have  had  at  the  rate  of  ten  to  six  to  that  of 
Lee's.  By  this  movement,  as  I  have  already  mentioned,  he 
would  have  defeated  and  captured  Lee's  army.  Instead 
of  this  he  represented  Lee  to  have  much  the  larger  force. 


1862.]  ANTIETAM  137 

CHAPTER  VII 

THE  BATTLE  OF  ANTIETAM. 

ON  Sept.  IT,  1862,  occurred  the  memorable  battle  of 
Antietam,  a  day  never  to  be  forgotten  by  any  who 
participated  therein,  and  more  particularly  those 
who  took  an  active  part  in  it.  We  thought  we  had  pre 
viously  been  engaged  in  some  very  hard  fights,  but  this  was 
unequaled  by  any  that  we  had  hitherto  experienced.  The 
Second  Corps  was  badly  beaten  and  two  of  its  divisions 
well-nigh  annihilated.  We  marched  through  Keedysville 
in  the  presence  of  our  old  commander.  General  Sumner.  It 
was  not  to  be  expected  that  a  man  of  his  years  after  under 
going  the  fatigues  and  hardships  incident  to  the  Peninsula 
campaign  and  the  subsequent  movements  from  Harrison's 
Landing  to  Alexandria  and  the  part  his  corps  took  in  cover 
ing  the  retreat  of  our  army  at  Ohantilly.  and  continuing  in 
the  saddle  as  he  did  for  many  months,  could  perform  the 
duties  of  a  man  of  half  his  age.  Besides,  he  had  become 
strongly  imbued  with  the  idea  that  the  Second  Corps  was 
invincible  and  could  whip  General  Lee's  whole  army.  And 
this,  in  the  writer's  mind,  is  where  he  overestimated  his 
own  abilities,  and  also  those  of  his  corps.  Besides, 
General  Sedgwick  should  have  kept  a  sharp  lookout  to  his 
left  flank  and  have  seen  to  it  that  it  was  better  protected, 
which  surely  was  not  the  case,  as  there  was  an  opening 
between  Sedgwick's  left  and  French's  right,  a  new  division 
which  had  been  formed  Avhile  on  the  march  to  Antietam. 
On  the  ground  where  this  opening  was  left  between  Sedg 
wick's  and  French's  divisions  was  an  eminence  of  which 
the  enemy  had  taken  possession  and  from  which  they 


138  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Sept., 

poured  terrific  fire  upon  those  divisions,  which  was  the 
cause  of  great  slaughter  to  them.  The  new  division  which 
had  been  attached  to  our  corps  was  composed  of  General 
Kimball's  independent  brigade  which  joined  us  at  Har 
rison's  Landing,  and  had  been  re-enforced  by  a  nine  months' 
regiment,  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-second  Pennsyl 
vania,  Col.  R.  A.  Oakford. 

On  the  16th  the  brigade  of  Gen.  Max  Weber,  comprising 
the  First  Delaware,  Col.  John  W.  Andrews;  Fourth  New 
York,  Col.  J.  D.  McGregor;  and  the  Fifth  Maryland,  Maj. 
Leopold  Blumenberg,  was  assigned  to  our  corps.  These 
troops  together  with  three  new  regiments,  the  Fourteenth 
Connecticut,  Col.  Dwight  Morris;  One  Hundred  and  Eighth 
Xew  York,  Col.  Oliver  H.  Palmer;  and  the  One  Hundred 
and  Thirtieth  Pennsylvania,  Col.  Henry  I.  Zinn,  forming  a 
brigade  under  Colonel  Morris,  were  constituted  a  division, 
to  be  known  as  the  Third  under  the  command  of 
Gen.  William  H.  French,  former  commander  of  the  Third 
Brigade,  First  Division  of  the  Second  Corps. 

Whoever  participated  in  that  engagement  must  forever 
be  grateful  to  his  Maker  that  he  was  permitted  to  live 
through  it.  Hooker's  corps,  which  had  crossed  by  the  up 
per  bridge  and  fords  during  the  night,  had  been  followed 
by  General  Mansfield's.  Hooker's  First  Corps  attacked 
Lee's  left  with  his  usual  headlong  impetuosity.  The  action 
was  furious  and  the  losses  frightful.  So  heedlessly  did 
Hooker  press  his  attack  that  the  Twelfth  Corps  was  not 
called  up  until  his  own  troops  had  been  broken  and  slaugh 
tered.  Mansfield's  two  divisions,  under  Generals  Williams 
and  Greene,  made  a  gallant  attack  but  were  soon  checked 
as  the  Confederates  had  been  re-enforced  from  the  right  of 
their  line.  The  battle  began  at  daylight,  and,  by  half  past 
nine,  so  far  as  the  First  and  Twelfth  Corps  were  concerned, 
was  practically  over.  General  Mansfield  had  been  killed, 
and  Hooker  carried  disabled  from  the  field ;  Hartsuff  and 


1862.]  ANTIETAM  139 

Crawford  had  been  wounded.  If  anything  both  the  First 
and  Twelfth  Corps  had  lost  some  ground  since  their  attack 
at  daylight,  but  at  half  past  nine  stood  their  ground  and 
began  reforming  their  broken  lines  as  far  as  possible,  wait 
ing  in  an  exhausted  condition  the  arrival  of  fresh  troops 
to  begin  the  attack  anew.  This  was  the  great  error  dis 
played  throughout  this  battle,  to  put  in  a  corps,  division, 
or  brigade  until  it  was  defeated  before  it  could  get 
any  assistance  whatever.  There  is  no  doubt  in  the  minds 
of  many  who  witnessed  the  battle,  that  had  the  Second 
Corps  been  brought  up  during  the  night  with  the1  First  and 
Twelfth,  and  all  had  been  sent  in  together,  the  Confederate 
left  would  have  been  crushed,  as  the  Second  Corps  with  its 
new  division  was  as  strong  as  both  the  First  and  Twelfth 
combined.  But  the  general  commanding  the  army  did  not 
see  fit  to  do  such  a  thing,  and  continued  throughout  the  bat 
tle  to  fight  it  in  detail  rather  than  in  conjunction. 

About  9.30  A.  M.  our  battery  was  ordered  by  Major  Kip, 
of  General  Simmer's  staff  to  report  to  General  French. 
We  moved  from  nearly  the  extreme  right  down  to  the  left 
of  the  centre  just  as  General  Mansfield  with  the  Pennsyl 
vania  Reserves,  or  P>ucktails  as  they  were  called,  were  going 
into  the  battle,  and  only  a  very  few  minutes  before  he  (Gen- 
eral  Mansfield)  was  killed.  We  passed  by  our  Second  Divi 
sion  to  which  we  belonged  and  moved  to  the  left  of  the  Third 
Division  and  joined  the  Irish  brigade  on  the  right  of  our 
First  Division  under  General  Richardson,  who  was  killed 
not  over  fifty  yards  from  our  left  gun.  The  battery  was 
under  a  hot  fire  the  whole  length  of  the  line  and  lost  four 
or  five  men  wounded  before  we  went  into  position.  We 
proceeded  as  far  as  the  Mumma  house  and  turned  sharp 
passing  close  to  the  house  on  our  right  and  took  position 
about  one  hundred  yards  back  of  it  on  a  knoll  in  the  edge  of 
a  large  cornfield  about  half  a  mile  to  the  left  of  the  Dun- 
ker  Church,  where  our  Second  Division  under  General  Sedg- 


140  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.   1.    LIGHT   ARTILLERY     [Sept., 

wick  was  hotly  engaged.  The  position  was  a  commanding 
one,  and  we  could  see  from  the  right  to  the  left  of  our  lines, 
and  when  General  Burnside  made  the  attack  on  the  Stone 
Bridge  we  could  see  the  smoke  of  it  quite  plainly  from  our 
position.  The  so-called  sunken  or  bloody  road  was  directly 
in  our  front,  and  at  times  the  colors  of  our  First  Division 
could  be  seen  to  go  down,  then  up  again  very  often.  When 
our  Second  Division  broke  (which  was  something  new  to 
them)  and  General  Sedgwick,  who  had  been  wounded,  was 
being  taken  past  us  from  the  field,  he  inquired  what  battery 
it  was;  when  informed  he  disputed  it,  as  we  belonged  with 
his  troops,  but  had  been  wrongfully  placed  where  we  were. 
After  he  had  been  convinced  it  was  Battery  A,  First  Rhode 
Island,  he  said :  "They  are  lost,  and  it  is  the  first  one  I 
ever  lost,  and  the  best  one  in  our  corps." 

When  the  enemy  forced  their  way  into  the  opening  be 
tween  the  Second  and  Third  Divisions,  the  Third  Division 
was  also  broken,  and  the  enemy  came  in  column  of  divisions 
out  of  the  corn  directly  in  our  front  before  we  were  aware 
of  it.  This  was  the  time  and  place  that  tried  men's  nerves, 
but  Battery  A  never  flinched;  if  it  had  it  would  have  been 
lost,  and,  in  my  opinion,  our  army  would  have  been  de 
feated.  We  had  supporting  our  guns  a  new  nine  months' 
regiment  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-second  Pennsyl 
vania  Infantry.  It  was  their  first  battle  and  some  of  them 
broke  with  the  brigade  on  our  right.  But  those  that  stayed 
were  good  men  and  fought  like  tigers.  They  had  no  regu 
lar  line  of  battle  but  clustered  around  each  gun  to  protect 
it.  The  Fifth  Maryland,  after  losing  its  commander,  Ma 
jor  Bluinenberg,  broke  and  carried  along  with  it  a  portion 
of  the  Fourteenth  Connecticut,  which  let  the  enemy  come 
past  our  right  flank,  and  they  Avent  for  our  guns  like  a  pack 
of  wolves.  We  were  firing  as  fast  as  guns  could  be  served 
double-shotted  with  canister,  the  guns  in  echelon  and  we 
cut  them  down  in  solid  column  ten  paces  from  our  gun*. 


1862.]  ANTIETAM  141 

At  this  time  Sergeant  Greenleaf  urged  Henry  F.  Hicks,  our 
No.  1,  to  hurry  up,  he  being  one  of  our  most  rapid  No.  1 
men.  Hicks,  in  a  cool  and  collected  manner,,  replied,  "I'll 
sponge  this  gun  if  the  rebs  come  and  take  the  sponge  staff 
out  of  my  hands !"  Had  he  not  sponged  the  gun  he  was 
liable  to  have  been  blown  to  pieces  from  its  premature 
discharge. 

One  of  the  enemy's  flags  was  captured  and  it  was  really 
our  trophy,  but  one  of  the  infantrymen  ran  down  and  seized 
and  kept  it.  Colonel  Oakford  commanding  the  One  Hundred 
and  Thirty-second  Pennsylvania  ( I  am  not  sure,  but  think 
it  was),  told  us  we  had  better  limber  our  guns  and  save 
them.  If  we  had  attempted  it  we  would  have  lost  them  be 
fore  they  could  have  been  limbered.  Instead  of  that  we 
stopped  the  charge  and  drove  the  rebels  back  in  disorder. 
The  Mumma  house  and  barn  in  our  rear  was  ou  fire  and  at 
one  time  looked  as  if  it  would  ignite  our  caissons,  and  some 
of  them  on  the  left  of  the  battery  had  to  be  moved.  We 
were  engaged  about  four  hours  and  twenty  minutes  and  ex 
pended  over  twelve  hundred  rounds  of  ammunition  includ 
ing  every  round  of  canister  we  had  in  our  ammunition 
chests.  The  vent  fields  of  our  guns  were  so  completely 
worn  out  they  had  to  be  condemned  and  we  drew  new  guns 
by  turning  them  over  and  taking  a  battery  of  guns  from 
one  of  the  batteries  in  the  reserve  artillery,  and  were  all 
ready  to  go  in  again  in  a  short  time.  I  never  could  under 
stand  why  those  batteries  were  placed  in  the  reserve  all  the 
year  round  and  others  always  kept  to  the  front.  If  those 
batteries  could  not  have  been  trusted  in  battle  they  should 
have  been  disbanded  or  disposed  of. 

Capt.  John  A.  Tompkins  and  First  Lieut.  Henry  Newton 
rendered  conspicuous  service  in  this  engagement. 

Capt.  Tompkins  in  his  official  report  of  the  battle  says : 
aThe  men  of  my  command  behaved  nobly,  and,  by  their 
bravery  and  coolness,  prevented  the  loss  of  the  guns.  I 


142  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    ii.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Sept., 

would  especially  call  your  attention  to  Lieuts.  Jeffrey 
Hazard  and  Charles  F.  Mason,  who  displayed  great  cool 
ness  during  the  engagement  and  handled  their  guns  with 
excellent  effect.'' 

Just  after  we  had  succeeded  in  driving  the  enemy  back 
our  ammunition  gave  out  and  our  guidon  bearer,  John  F. 
Leach,  was  called  on  and  again  showed  evidence  of  his  in 
domitable  courage.  He  was  directed  to  go  to  the  chief  of 
artillery  and  request  him  to  send  us  more  ammunition  or 
a  battery  to  relieve  us.  He  did  as  he  was  ordered  and  was 
instructed  by  the  chief  to  take  Battery  G,  First  Rhode  Is 
land  Light  Artillery,  and  relieve  us,  which  he  did,  and  not 
only  showed  them  where  to  put  their  guns  but  stayed  with 
them,  which,  I  am  sorry  to  say  was  not  long  as  they  only 
fired  four  or  five  rounds  before  they  limbered  up  and  retired. 
By  their  leaving  that  position  the  enemy  came  up  and  took 
possession  of  the  ground  we  had  occupied  as  well  as  our 
hospital  in  the  rear.  They  captured  all  of  our  surgeons  and 
our  wounded  men.  The  position  was  soon  retaken  by  a 
part  of  the  First  Division  and  our  new  Third  Division. 
But  the  fighting  for  this  part  of  the  line  was  about  over, 
and  in  fact  there  Avas  not  much  fighting  going  on  anywhere 
after  that.  Lee  seemed  contented  to  remain  quiet  if  not 
disturbed  and  General  McClellan  did  not  seem  inclined  to 
molest  him.  Thus  ended  the  bloodiest  battle  of  the  war. 

After  the  battle  General  Simmer  sent  our  battery  a  per 
sonal  note  thanking  us  for  the  efficient  work  performed  by 
the  battery  during  the  action,  and  gave  us  credit  for  hold 
ing  the  enemy  in  check  at  a  critical  time,  when  if  the  bat 
tery  had  flinched  the  consequences  would  have  been  very 
disastrous  to  our  army. 

Our  battery  lost  in  this  engagement  in  killed :  Sergt. 
Charles  M.  Reed,  Privates  John  H.  Lawrence,  Joseph  T. 
Bosworth,  and  Edwin  Stone.  The  wounded  were:  Ed 
ward  F.  Budlong,  John  Church,  Robert  Raynor,  H.  A.  Pres- 


1862.]  ANTIETAM  143 

ion,  Sheffield  L.  Sherman,  Patrick  Larkin,  Theodore  Reic 
hardt,  Corp.  Benjamin  F.  Child,  Frederick  A.  Phillips, 
Francis  E.  Phillips,  Charles  Cargill,  Abel  Wilder,  John  Zim- 
ala.  Six  horses  were  killed,  and  four  wounded.  The  army's 
losses  at  this  battle  were:  Killed,  2,108;  wounded,  9,549; 
missing,  753 ;  aggregate,  12,410.  The  Second  Corps'  losses 
were:  Killed,  883;  wounded,  3,859:  missing,  396;  aggre 
gate,  5,138.  The  corps  lost  two  major-generals  wounded, 
Richardson  mortally,  and  Sedgwick. 

The  conduct  of  the  men  of  our  battery  at  this  battle  was 
highly  commendable,  the  engagement  severely  testing  their 
courage  and  endurance,  resisting  successfully  as  they  did 
two  distinct  charges  of  the  enemy,  thereby  preventing  the 
loss  of  our  guns. 

While  the  charge  was  at  its  height,  one  of  the  rebels,  a 
man  over  six  feet  tall,  came  up  to  our  Xo.  4  gun  with 
his  bayonet  fixed.  Our  No-  1  man  was  in  the  act  of 
sponging  his  piece.  When  he  saw  this  tall  and  rough-look 
ing  rebel  approaching  he  swung  himself  under  the  muzzle, 
as  he  had  no  other  way  of  protecting  himself;  but  one  of  our 
infantrymen  who  was  in  the  act  of  loading  his  piece  and 
not  having  time  to  finish,  clubbed  his  musket  and  struck 
him  just  over  the  left  ear,  which  put  an  end  to  the  poor  fel 
low.  His  brains  were  spattered  over  our  gun  where  they 
were  baked  as  quickly  as  if  they  had  been  dropped  on  a  hot 
stove.  One  of  our  sergeants  cut  it  off  with  his  knife  and 
kept  it  as  a  trophy.  He  fell  across  our  sergeant,  Charles  M. 
Reed,  who  was  lying  dead,  and  I  went  and  pulled  him  oft'. 
When  our  battery  cut  down  the  flag  within  ten  paces  of  our 
guns,  we  were  short-handed  and  I  could  not  go  for  it.  I 
made  a  start  but  was  afraid  of  being  punished  for  leaving 
the  gun,  and  one  of  the  infantrymen  went  out  and  brought 
it  in.  We  considered  that  it  rightfully  belonged  to  our  bat 
tery.  One  of  the  few  infantrymen  who  stayed  and  sup 
ported  our  guns  was  standing  in  the  rear  of  our  Xo.  1  gun, 


144  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Sept., 

and,  in  his  haste,  fired  directly  onto  the  breech  of  the  gun 
a  Minie  bullet,  which  made  a  star  on  the  gun  of  three  inches 
across  it. 

During  this  charge  Sergeant  Greenleaf,  one  of  the  best 
of  soldiers,  becoming  somewhat  excited,  said  to  Henry 
Hicks,  one  of  the  quickest  No.  1's  I  ever  saw:  "Hurry  upy 
Henry!''  when  Hicks  replied:  "I'll  sponge  this  gun  if  they 
come  and  take  the  staff  away  from  me." 

After  being  relieved  the  battery  returned  to  the  Hoffman 
house  where  our  battery  wagon,  forge  and  battery  teams 
were,  and  began  refilling  our  ammunition  chests  and  par 
took  of  our  frugal  rations.  For  myself  I  could  truthfully 
say  that  I  was  thankful  that  I  had  escaped  unharmed  the 
dread  ordeal  of  battle.  At  our  gun  two  men  were  killed  and 
four  wounded.  Both  of  my  horses  were  killed  either  by  a 
shell  or  shot.  Just  after  dragging  the  gun  in  battery  and 
turning  in  rear  of  it,  one  of  the  swing  horses  was  badly 
wounded  as  we  were  going  out  of  action.  How  the  bullets 
flew  by  me  and  I  so  fortunate  as  to  escape  being  hit  will 
forever  remain  a  mystery  to  me. 

The  day  closed  with  some  sharp  skirmishing  along  the 
line,  and  Burnside's  forces  kept  on  fighting  until  long  after 
dr.rk;  A.  P.  HilTs  (Confederate)  corps,  after  a  forced  inarch 
of  seventeen  miles,  came  in  upon  Burnside's  flank  and 
forced  him  back  to  the  bridge. 

On  September  18th  there  was  some  very  sharp  skirmish 
ing  at  daylight,  although  after  that  there  was  not  much  fir 
ing  during  the  day.  A  detachment  of  men  under  Lieut. 
Jeffrey  Hazard  went  to  the  field  to  bury  our  dead,  but  they 
had  been  taken  care  of  by  the  Second  Rhode  Island  Regi 
ment  who  had  come  upon  the  field  after  a  forced  inarch 
from  Maryland  Heights,  where  our  general  had  sent  them 
in  place  of  cavalry  and  had  relieved  our  Third  Division. 
We  hitched  up  and  left  our  camp  near  the  Hoffman  house 
and  inarched  nearer  the  battlefield-  Flags  of  truce  were 


MAJOR  HARRY  C.  GUSHING. 

Enrolled   Corporal    Battery  A  ;    Second   Lieutenant   Fourth  U.  S.  Artillery 
Captain  same  regiment ;  Major  Seventeenth  U.  S.  Infantry. 


1862.]  ANTIETAM  145 

seen  on  different  parts  of  the  field  where  both  sides  were 
seen  burying  their  dead.  T  took  a  stroll  down  by  our  posi 
tion  where  we  had  been  fighting  and  looked  the  ground 
over.  Saw  a  number  of  the  Second  Regiment  and  beheld 
a  sickening  sight  on  that  field  of  carnage.  Directly  in 
front  of  our  position  was  a  fearful  scene  which  can  never 
be  effaced  from  my  memory.  The  sunken  road  or  "Bloody 
Lane,"  so-called,  was  thickly  strewn  with  the  dead.  It 
seemed  to  me  as  if  there  were  more  of  the  rebels  than  our 
own  men.  I  had  to  use  caution  as  our  pickets  had  received 
strict  orders  not  to  allow  any  one  to  approach  too  near  the 
sunken  road.  So  after  I  had  seen  all  I  cared  to,  I  started 
back  to  our  battery.  On  the  way  T  assisted  our  veterinary 
in  extracting  the  bullet  from  the  swing  horse  who  had  been 
wounded  in  the  fight.  Tt  had  entered  just  to  the  left  of  his 
tail  and  came  out  so  as  to  press  the  skin  on  his  flank.  The 
remainder  of  the  day  and  night  was  quiet  Avith  the  excep 
tion  of  an  occasional  picket  shot. 

On  the  19th  we  turned  out  by  daylight  and  all  prepara 
tions  for  battle  were  made,  but  we  were  happily  disap 
pointed  when  our  skirmishers  advanced  to  find  that  the 
enemy  had  retreated. 

On  the  morning  of  the  20th  we  exchanged  our  guns  with 
Pettit's  battery  of  New  York,  they  took  our  Parrotts  and 
gave  us  three-inch  field  guns.  They  appeared 'much  handier 
and  lighter  for  the  horses.  We  then  proceeded  to  near 
McClellan's  headquarters,  where  we  went  into  camp,  and, 
Avhere  by  all  appearances,  it  looked  as  if  we  were  to  stay 
for  awhile,  but  as  usual  we  were  disappointed,  as  we  soon 
received  orders  to  move  to  Sharpsburg,  where  it  was  re 
ported  that  an  engagement  was  going  on.  We  arrived  at 
Sharpsburg  about  one  o'clock  A.  M.«  and  went  into  camp 
just  outside  the  town.  After  looking  out  for  my  horses  I 
made  a  bunk  under  the  battery  wagon  which  was  near  the 
picket  rope;  and,  although  it  was  damp  and  chilly,  I  man- 
10 


146  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Sept., 

aged  to  get  a  good  sleep.  The  reported  engagement  which 
took  us  there  was  only  a  skirmish  with  Lee's  rear  guard  at 
The  river.  It  did  not  amount  to  much  and  only  resulted 
in  the  capture  of  a  few  prisoners. 

On  Sunday,  Sept-  21st,  after  everything  was  fixed  up  in 
cam])  I  took  a  good  look  at  Sharpsburg,  and  T  must  say 
that  it  presented  a  scene  of  marked  desolation,  for  there 
was  scarcely  a  house  which  had  not  been  hit  by  either  shell 
or  bullet,  and  some  of  them  a  great  many  times.  There  were 
quite  a  number  of  people  there,  but  they  say  that  before  the 
tight  there  were  about  fifteen  hundred  in  the  place.  They 
said,  "You'uns  did  give  us  a  right  smart  shooting."  I 
asked  some  of  them  where  they  were  at  the  time  when  the 
battle  was  going  on,  and  they  could  hardly  tell.  They  said 
some  went  down  toward  the  river,  and  different  places, 
while  others  stayed  in  their  houses.  One  man  who  had 
been  where  he  could  see  most  of  the  fighting,  said,  "It  was 
right  smart,  'deed  it  was." 

September  2:M  our  corps  marched  away,  having  started 
early  that  morning,  but  our  battery  received  no  orders  to 
move.  I  took  another  look  around  where  Burnside  had 
had  his  fight,  but  the  dead  had  been  gathered  up  and  bur 
ied,  so  it  did  not  look  as  bad  as  it  did  in  the  centre  and  on 
the  right ;  but  he  must  have  had  a  hot  passage  at  the  bridge. 

September  23d.  After  staying  around  Sharpsburg  until 
about  two  o'clock  of  that  day,  we  began  our  march,  crossed 
the  Antietam  Creek  at  Old  Furnace,  and  Avent  into  camp  at 
the  foot  of  Maryland  Heights. 


18(>2.]  ANTIETAM    TO    THE    [!A  I'I'AHAXXOCIv  14" 


CHAPTER  VIII 

AXTIETAM     TO    TPIE    RAPPAHAXXOCK. 

WE"  remained  in  camp  on  the  morning  of  September 
24tli  until  eight  o'clock,  when  we  started  for 
Harper's  Ferry,  where  we  arrived  and  went  into 
camp  near  Bolivar  Heights.  It  made  us  feel  sad  to  think 
that  such  a  position  should  have  been  surrendered  as  it  was 
by  Colonel  Miles  on  the  loth  of  that  month. 

On  the  25th  we  heard  that  President  Lincoln  had  issued 
his  proclamation  of  emancipation. 

The  26th  was  quite  cold  night  and  morning  but  very 
nice  in  the  middle  of  the  day,  and  everybody  seemed  to  be 
enjoying  himself.  The  infantry  boys  came  over  and  .ex 
changed  experiences  in  relation  to  the  campaign. 

On  the  27th  it  was  a  cold  morning,  and  thick  coats  were 
not  burdensome.  A  singular  and  amusing  incident  oc 
curred  here.  The  Nineteenth  Maine  Regiment  and  the  One 
Hundred  and  Sixteenth  Pennsylvania  joined  our  corps,  to 
fill  the  serious  inroads  made  in  our  ranks  by  the  loss  of  the 
killed  and  wounded  at  Antietam.  The  Nineteenth  Maine 
was  the  largest  regiment  and  had  the  largest  men  in  it  that 
I  ever  saw.  The  regiment  seemed  to  be  as  large  as  any 
brigade  in  our  corps.  They  marched  up  on  top  of  Bolivar 
Heights,  and  stacked  their  arms.  There  was  a  twenty- 
ponnd  battery  there  at  the  time  of  the  surrender,  and  a 
number  of  shells  had  been  left  lying  around.  They  looked 
good  to  the  Maine  soldiers,  so  they  gathered  them  together 
and  made  up  a  fireplace  to  set  their  frying  pans  on,  never 
thinking  they  we're  loaded.  After  the  fire  around  them  hart 
heated  the  shells  there  were  some  fierce  explosions,  and  the 


148  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [Sept., 

first  thing  we  knew,  the  Nineteenth  Maine  was  stampeding 
down  the  hill.  Long  roll  was  called,  and  everybody  fell 
into  place,  thinking  the  rebels  had  opened  fire  upon  us.  We 
started  out  on  a  trot  but  had  not  gone  far  before  we  found 
out  the  cause  of  the  excitement  and  uproar.  The  most 
wonderful  feature  of  this  affair  was  that  no  one  was  killed 
and  only  a  few  received  slight  wounds. 

The  28th  was  a  charming  day.  We  had  a  mounted  in 
spection,  after  which  we  had  the  day  to  ourselves.  One  of 
the  men  of  the  Irish  brigade  came  into  camp.  In  convers 
ing  with  him  in  regard  to  the  battle  of  Antietam,  he  said 
that  General  Richardson  was  killed  by  a  shell,  and  that  the 
same  shell  killed  one  or  tw^o  men  of  his  regiment.  The  way 
he  told  it,  Avith  his  rich  Irish  brogue,  was  very  interesting. 

The  29th  found  us  getting  settled  down  to  camp  life 
again,  and  the  regular  amount  of  guard,  and  police  duty, 
with  drills  was  becoming  an  everyday  occurrence.  Being 
granted  the  privilege  of  going  visiting  among  the  soldiers  of 
our  corps,  I  went  up  to  see  the  new  regiment  fresh  from 
Maine,  and  had  a  talk  with  them,  and  it  was  amusing  to 
listen  to  their-  conversation.  One  of  them  said,  "By  gosh  I 
I  haint  seen  my  fry-pan  since  the  explosion!" 

On  the  30th  I  was  put  on  guard  in  the  morning,  therefore 
could  not  go  visiting,  but  there  was  a  number  of  soldiers  of 
our  division  in  our  camp  talking  about  the  recent  campaign. 
Although  somewhat  down-hearted,  they  Avere  still  ready  to 
fight  if  they  had  been  called  upon.  On  the  trip  from  Antie 
tam  I  picked  up  a  Vermont  rifle.  It  was  a  good  one,  but 
as  I  had  no  ammunition  for  it,  I  whittled  down  some 
Minie  balls  to  fit  it,  and  tried  it  across  the  ravine  and  it 
made  some  close  shots. 

On  October  1st  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  honored  by 
a  visit  from  President  Lincoln.  Our  battery  was  given  the 
honor  of  firing  a  salute  to  him,  and  it  was  a  great  privilege 
to  look  at  this  great  man  whom  we  all  revered. 


1862.]  BOLIVAK    HEIGHTS  149 

On  the  2d,  after  guard  mount  and  police  duty,  I  took  a 
stroll  down  to  the  Potomac  and  walked  up  the  railroad  as 
far  as  the  tunnel  through  part  of  the  mountains.  Lieuts. 
Jacob  H.  Lamb  and  Peter  Hunt  came  to  us,  the  former  from 
Battery  E,  and  the  latter  from  Battery  C,  each  having 
been  promoted  from  first  sergeant.  Lieutenant  Lamb  had 
served  in  the  regular  army  previous  to  the  Civil  War. 

On  the  3d  in  addition  to  our  regular  camp  duties  we  had 
a  mounted  inspection.  The  inspecting  officer  did  not  find 
much  to  criticise,  excepting  that  one  or  two  harnesses  failed 
to  come  up  to  the  requirements  of  that  officer.  This,  how 
ever,  had  a  good  effect,  for  it  caused  our  men  after  that  to 
keep  the  harnesses  in  better  condition. 

On  the  5th  we  had  another  mounted  inspection.  A  num 
ber  of  the  men  of  the  battery  received  leaves  of  absence  to 
go  out  of  camp. 

On  the  6th  the  Nineteenth  Maine  had  a.  funeral,  and 
marched  past  our  camp.  Those  big,  strong  fellows  did  not 
seem  to  stand  the  climate  well,  as  there  was  a  great  deal  of 
illness  in  their  camp. 

On  the  7th  I  was  detailed  to  go  writh  the  wagons  for  ra 
tions  and  hay  and  grain  for  the  horses.  We  went  down  to 
Sandy  Hook.  I  had  a  pleasant  time  and  saw  the  Seventh 
Rhode  Island  Regiment  that  arrived  there  a  few  days  before, 
I  talked  with  a  number  of  them  and  asked  about  people  at 
home,  and  told  them  where  they  could  find  our  battery. 

The  8th  was  my  birthday,  and  a  very  dull  one  as  there 
was  nothing  here  to  celebrate,  and  if  there  was  I  had  no 
funds  to  provide  for  a  collation.  Moreover,  I  had  not  had 
a.  cent  for  over  three  months,  so  my  twenty-first  birthday 
was  a  very  slow  one.  Quite  a  number  of  infantry  friends 
came  into  camp  that  day. 

On  the  9th  our  hearts  were  cheered  by  the  arrival  of  the 
paymaster,  who  paid  us  our  five  months'  pay  which  was  due 
us.  The  men  had  plenty  of  money  that  night.  I  had  sixty- 


150 


BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    1.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [Oct., 


five  dollars,  and  felt  as  if  1  had  a  small  fortune.  The  sutler 
got  liis  share  of  the  boys'  money,  as  some  of  them  had  run 
up  quite  large  accounts  with  him  long  before  the  paymaster 
arrived.  Just  think  how  those  sutlers  used  to  fleece  our 
boys;  for  instance,  charging  them  a  dollar  for  a  can  of  con 
densed  milk. 

The  10th  was  a  sad  day  for  the  Second  Corps  as  we  were 
compelled  to  part  with  our  brave  old  commander,  General 
Simmer.  It  was  reported  at  the  time  that  he  was  taking 
a  leave  of  absence,  but  Ave  afterwards  learned  that  he  was 
relieved  from  the  command  of  his  corps  at  his  own  request. 
It  was  also  said  that  Gen.  D.  X-  Couch  would  take  com 
mand-  He  w.as  a  very  good  general,  but  with  the  loss  of  so 
many  gallant  officers,  Generals  Richardson,  Sedgwick,  and 
then  "Daddy  Simmer,"  it  was  not  to  be  wondered  at  that 
our  spirits  were  somewhat  depressed.  Lieut.  Jeffrey  Hazard 
left  our  battery  that  day.  having  been  promoted  to  the  cap 
taincy  of  Battery  H. 

October  12th  was  another  quiet  Sunday,  with  lots  of  vis 
itors.  I  showed  them  around  and  gave  the  information  I 
possessed  about  artillery  practice. 

On  the  15th  there  was  considerable  stir  in  camp  as  we 
drew  rations  for  four  days.  It  looked  like  a  long  inarch. 
Second  Lieut.  Charles  F.  Mason  left  the  battery,  having  re 
ceived  an  appointment  as  first  lieutenant  in  Battery  II. 

On  the  IGth  we  were  turned  out  early  in  the  morning  and 
started  for  Charlestown  over  the  same  road  Ave  went  over 
the  previous  Spring.  General  Hancock  was  in  command  of 
the  troops  in  that  expedition.  There  were  about  ten  thou 
sand  in  all  and  the  First  Division  was  all  there  was  of  our 
corps  that  was  selected  for  that  purpose.  I  do  not  know 
why  we  were  ordered  to  go  with  them,  as  we  belonged  to 
the  Second  Division.  There  were  some  rebels  found  at  that 
place,  who  made  quite  a  stand,  and  opened  on  us  with  ar 
tillery.  Battery  A,  Fourth  United  States  Artillery,  replied 


1862.]  HOL1VAR    HEIGHTS  151 

to  their  fire,  and  soon  drove  them  off.  It  proved  to  be  only 
some  cavalry,  and  a  battery  of  four  guns,  which  they  used 
to  good  advantage,  blowing  up  one  of  Battery  A,  Fourth 
United  States  Artillery's  caissons,  killing  one  man  and 
wounding  four  others.  The  rebel  captain  of  the  battery 
was  found  in  one  of  the  houses  nearby  with  one  foot  taken 
off.  which  showed  that  our  regular  battery  had  disabled 
him.  We  went  into  battery  just  outside  of  the  village,  and 
camped  there  for  the  night-  A  heavy  rain  came  on,  which 
made  it  very  disagreeable  and  quite  cold.  It  was  reported 
that  cars  were  being  run  from  Charlestown  to  Harper's 
Ferry  with  grain,  as  the  country  was  full  of  it. 

We  remained  at  Charlestown  until  about  two  o'clock  of 
the  17th,  then  marched  back  to  what  was  called  Halltown. 
Here  General  Hancock  formed  line  of  battle,  the  artillery 
going  into  position  on  a  hill  and  the  troops  in  front  of  it. 
It  looked  as  if  an  attack  was  expected.  It  was  a  very  cold, 
disagreeable  night,  and  we  got  but  little  rest. 

On  the  18th  we  started  from  Halltown  early,  and  to 
keep  warm  we  made  a  quick  march  to  Bolivar  Heights  and 
went  into  our  old  earn]).  It  was  cold  and  disagreeable  that 
night,  but  we  built  fires  and  made  our  tents  comfortable, 
which  we  could  not  do  the  night  before. 

The  19th  was  another  quiet  day  after  the  reconnoissance, 
and  I  think  it  did  the  horses  good  to  go  up  there  and  back. 
It  was  a  fine  trip  and  the  country  presented  a  better  appear 
ance  than  it  did  the  previous  Spring.  It  was  a  fine  valley, 
and  in  time  of  peace  with  its  fertile  fields  of  waving  grain 
the  scene  must  have  been  pleasing  indeed. 

On  the  20th  after  our  regular  camp  duties  we  went  into 
the  ravine  and  had  a  good  target  practice,  after  which  I 
went  over  to  the  I1  ifteenth  Massachusetts  camp  and  saw 
some  of  the  boys  there.  They  all  seemed  to  be  feeling  well 
and  (."barley  May  played  a  few  tunes  on  his  old  fiddle.  The 
cam])  was  pleasantly  situated.  The  weather  was  fine 
through  the  day  but  quite  cold  at  night. 


152  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [Oct., 

On  the  24th  the  Fifth  Maryland  regiment,  which  had 
joined  our  corps  just  before  the  battle  of  Antietam,  left  us. 
As  the  Maryland  boys  inarched  past  they  sang  out,  "Good 
bye,  Rhode  Island.''  They  said  that  they  would  never  for 
get  how  good  our  battery  looked  to  them  at  that  fight  as  we 
poured  such  a  destructive  fire  upon  the  enemy.  It  was  the 
first  battle  in  which  they  had  ever  been  engaged. 

On  the  25th  I  had  the  good  luck  to  get  detailed  to  go  with 
the  wagons  to  Harper's  Ferry.  As  we  had  to  wait  a  long 
time  there  I  walked  down  to  the  Shenandoah  River  and 
across  the  pontoon  bridge  there  and  took  a  survey  of  the 
ground.  I  had  a  grand  and  impressive  view  from  that  posi 
tion,  much  more  so  than  from  the  Potomac  side. 

On  the  26th  we  had  a  few  visitors  and  a  number  of  our 
boys  visited  the  other  batteries  stationed  in  the  vicinity.  I 
went  up  to  Battery  B  and  had  a  pleasant  talk  with  them. 
Captain  Tompkins  left  that  day  on  sick  leave.  First  Lieut. 
Henry  Newton  assumed  command. 

On  the  27th  it  was  reported  that  some  of  our  troops  were 
crossing  the  Potomac  at  Berlin,  and  we  were  desirous  of 
moving  also. 

On  the  29th  we  received  orders  to  prepare  four  days'  ra 
tions  and  to  be  ready  to  move  at  a  moment's  notice. 

On  the  morning  of  the  30th  everything  was  excitement 
and  we  packed  up  and  were  ready  to  start.  Troops 
marched  across  the  river  all  day.  We  broke  camp  about 
one  o'clock  and  crossed  over  the  Shenandoah  River  passing 
around  the  foot  of  Loudoun  Heights  into  the  Shenandoah 
Valley  towards  Hill's  Grove,  about  six  miles  distant  and 
camped  for  the  night. 

On  the  next  day,  the  31st,  we  were  moving  through  a 
very  mountainous  country,  although  apparently  thrifty, 
and,  by  appearances,  it  did  not  look  as  if  an  army  had 
traveled  through  it.  We  were  mustered  for  two  months' 
pay  on  that  day.  Troops  kept  passing  by  us,  and  we  heard 
that  the  Second  Corps  w^as  to  have  the  advance. 


1862.]  SNICKER'S  GAP  153 

November  1st  found  us  at  Snicker's  Gap.  It  Avas  quite 
chilly  that  morning,  but  everybody  seemed  cheerful  and  did 
not  appear  to  mind  the  cold.  We  broke  camp  about  ten 
o'clock.  The  road  was  hilly  and  rough.  It  was  a  great 
change  for  the  horses,  and  some  of  them  began  to  show  the 
effects  of  it.  We  passed  through  Hillsborough,  a  village  of 
a  few  houses,  and  the  battery  halted  at  what  was  called 
Wood's  Grove.  It  was  the  best  country  for  foraging  that 
we  had  ever  passed  through,  and,  although  there  were  strict 
orders  against  foraging,  most  of  our  soldiers  managed  to 
get  a  pig  or  chicken  for  supper  and  breakfast. 

On  the  2d  our  corps  had  the  right  of  the  line  and  in  the 
advance.  We  broke  camp  shortly  after  eight  o'clock  that 
morning  after  a  quiet  night,  and  our  march  was  at  a  snail's 
pace.  There  was  a  little  skirmishing  by  Pleasanton's  cav 
alry  with  that  of  the  enemy,  and  our  horse  artillery  fired 
occasional  shots.  The  view  from  our  position  was  very  fine. 
We  could  distinctly  see  the  cavalry  and  artillery  in  action. 

On  the  3d  we  received  orders  to  move,  but  did  not  get  un 
der  Avay  until  about  nine  o'clock.  The  roads  were  fine  and 
we  marched  at  a  brisk  pace  until  noon,  when  we  halted  for 
an  hour  or  more,  and  then  resumed  the  march,  but  not  as 
fast  as  in  the  morning.  We  halted  quite  often.  About  five 
o'clock  firing  was  heard  in  our  front,  and  we  could  see  the 
cavalry  running  the  rebels  towards  the  woods.  It  was  very 
pleasant  to  look  at  from  the  distance,  but  that  is  the  only 
place  it  looked  attractive  to  me.  We  encamped  about  seven 
o'clock.  It  was  a  beautiful  moonlight  night  and  it  made 
us  think  of  peaceful  scenes  at  home. 

About  eleven  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  of  the  4th  we  broke 
camp  and  inarched  through  Bloomfield  and  Upperville. 
About  one  o'clock  we  reached  Paris  (Va.),  at  the  mouth  of 
Ashby  Gap,  going  into  position  on  the  heights,  which  com 
manded  the  gap.  The  scenery  at  that  point  was  beautiful 
beyond  description,  the  finest  we  had  ever  beheld.  Win- 


154  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [Nov., 

Chester,  Bunker  Hill,  Berryville,  and  nearly  the  whole  of 
the  Shenandoah  Valley  lay  spread  before  us,  and  the  rebel 
camp-fires  across  the  Shenandoah  River  made  an  enlivening 
picture  indeed.  The  fight  we  saw  the  previous  evening  was 
between  a  battalion  of  Ashby's  (rebel)  and  Pleasanton's 
(Union)  cavalry,  and  there  was  a  number  of  rebel  prisoners 
taken-  General  Burnside  and  his  staff  passed  us  that  day 
near  Upper ville. 

It  was  very  cold  weather  early  in  the  morning  of  the  5th, 
and  we.  had  hard  work  to  keep  warm,  although  we  kept  our 
camp-fires  burning  brightly.  Some  snoAv  had  fallen.  There 
were  strict  orders  issued  from  headquarters  concerning  the 
killing  of  sheep,  etc.,  but  it  did  not  appear  to  stop  some  of 
the  men  of  our  battery  from  doing  it,  as  our  fourth  detach 
ment  had  a  great  time  killing  a  young  bull. 

On  the  morning  of  the  Gtli  we  broke  camp  about  eight 
o'clock.  We  marched  at  a  slow  pace  until  we  reached  a 
place  called  Kerfoot,  not  far  from  the  famous  Cub  Run. 
Our  horses  were  in  poor  condition,  yet  our  battery  did  not 
seem  to  be  as  badly  off  as  Battery  B,  and  some  of  the  other- 
batteries.  We  went  into  camp  near  Rectortown,  and  the 
condition  of  our  soldiers  reminded  us  of  Washington's  illy- 
clad  soldiers  at  Valley  Forge,  as  many  of  the  men  had  worn 
out  their  shoes  through  excessive  marching  in  that  rough 
country. 

On  the  7th  we  remained  at  Rectortown  all  day.  Just 
enough  snow  fell  to  cover  the  ground.  Nothing  of  interest 
occurred  there,  with  the  exception  of  inspection  of  horses, 
and  some  were  condemned.  Our  little  dog  tents  were  not 
much  protection  against  the  inclement  weather. 

On  the  morning  of  the  8th  the  weather  was  cold  and 
frosty,  and,  with  firewood  scarce  and  insufficient  clothing, 
it  made  our  soldier  life  anything  but  comfortable.  We 
broke  camp  about  eight  o'clock  and  marched  past  Salem. 
Generals  Simmer,  McClellan,  and  Burnside  rode  past  us 


1862.]  WATMiKNTOX  155 

that  morning.  We  went  into  camp  about  five  o'clock  not 
far  from  Vernon  Mills. 

On  the  morning-  of  the  9th  just  before  breaking  cam])  we 
had  to  furnish  horses  to  Battery  B  of  our  regiment  as  they 
had  turned  in  over  forty  and  were  unable  to  get  along  with 
out  them.  This  cut  us  down  so  that  some  of  our  guns  had 
to  go  with  four  horses.  We  arrived  at  Warrenton  at  about 
noon  and  went  into  camp  outside  the  town. 

On  the  10th  the  weather  was  quite  pleasant  and  warm. 
There  was  considerable  excitement  over  Meridian  relin 
quishing  his  command  of  the  army,  and  that  General  Burn- 
side  was  to  succeed  him. 

On  the  12th  we  received  the  first  mail  we  had  had  since 
leaving  Harper's  Ferry. 

On  the  loth  in  compliance  with  orders  received  the  night 
before1,  we  broke  camp  about  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning 
and  started  in  a  southeasterly  direction.  The  Aveather  was 
damp  and  chilly  and  cut  us  to  the  bone.  After  a  rather 
tedious  march  of  about  ten  miles,  we  camped  for  the  night 
in  what  seemed  to  be  rather  a  desolate  country  at  a  place 
called  Elk  Run.  J hissed  a  number  of  small  villages  on  the 
Virginia  Midland  Railroad,  above  Midland  Station. 

On  the  morning  of  the  lOtli  we  started  again,  and,  al 
though  it  was  rather  cold  and  cloudy,  we  made  a  march  of 
about  fifteen  miles.  We  encamped  in  a  very  level  country- 
and  the  camp-fires  of  the  troops  that  night  presented  a 
scene  alike  picturesque  and  beautiful. 

About  eight  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  17th  we  broke 
cam])  and  started  direct  for  Fredericksburg,  on  the  Rap- 
pahannock  River.  When  in  sight  of  the  city  we  saw  a  rebel 
battery  but  no  one  seemed  to  pay  any  attention  to  us.  Pet- 
tit's  Battery  went  into  a  ravine,  stole  upon  them  and  opened 
with  their  Farrott  guns,  which  greatly  surprised  them. 
They  sprang  to  their  guns  for  a  little  while,  then  left  them 
in  full  sight,  and  if  our  infantry  could  have  got  across,  they 


156 


BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Nov., 


could  have  captured  them.  Our  battery  was  in  support  in 
case  of  need,  but  did  not  have  to  do  any  firing.  Afoout  five 
o'clock  we  retired  a  short  distance  into  camp. 

We  found  the  troops  encamped  here  had  been  organized 
by  the  orders  of  General  Burnside,  who  had  assumed  com 
mand  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  into  three  grand  divi 
sions,  viz. :  The  Second  and  Ninth  Corps  forming  the  right 
grand  division  under  Gen-  Edwin  V.  Sumner,  the  First  and 
Sixth  Corps,  under  Gen.  William  B.  Franklin,  the  left 
grand  division;  the  Third  and  Fifth  Corps,  under  Gen. 
Joseph  G.  Hooker,  the  centre  grand  division. 

On  the  19th  no  forward  movement  seemed  to  be  made  by 
our  army,  but  the  troops  seemed  to  be  marching  back  and 
forth,  changing  pickets  and  talking  to  the  rebels  across  the 
river  all  day  long.  I  went  down  to  the  river  myself  and 
had  quite  a  conversation  with  them.  They  seemed  to  be 
well  aware  of  the  change  that  had  been  made  of  command 
ers  of  our  army. 

On  the  20th  the  weather  was  very  disagreeable,  as  it 
rained  steadily  all  day.  We  moved  our  camp  to  a  place 
called  Falmouth,  up  the  river  from  Fredericksburg,  where 
we  had  a  fine  view.  We  were  encamped  on  the  edge  of  some 
heavy  timber  and  it  was  reported  that  we  were  to  stay  there 
for  the  winter.  Batteries  B  and  G  of  our  regiment  were 
encamped  just  below  us  in  a  ravine. 

On  the  26th  First  Lieut.  Henry  Newton  resigned  and  left 
for  home.  He  was  an  efficient  and  capable  officer  and  well 
liked  by  the  men. 

Thanksgiving  Day,  the  27th,  was  a  lonesome  one  for  us. 
We  considered  ourselves  fortunate  to  get  hard-tack  and 
pork  instead  of  a  Rhode  Island  turkey.  However,  as  soon 
as  the  railroad  to  Acquia  Creek  was  in  full  operation,  it 
greatly  facilitated  the  transportation  of  supplies  and  we 
obtained  better  rations.  Lieut.  Gamaliel  L.  Dwight,  a  for 
mer  corporal  of  our  battery,  who  had  been  promoted  to  sec 
ond  lieutenant,  returned  to  our  battery  as  first  lieutenant. 


1862.]  FALMOUTH  157 

Our  new  lieutenant,  Peter  Hunt,  put  up  a  set  of  bars  and 
rings  for  gymnastic  exercises,  as  lie  himself  was  an  adept 
at  such,  sports.  We  had  a  horse  called  "Old  Woolly,"  that 
Fred  Phillips  drove.  One  morning  on  returning  from 
watering  our  horses,  Lieutenant  Hunt  ran  his  horse  up  to 
this  bar,  which  was  about  four  feet  high,  and  the  horse  re 
fused  it.  Fred  Phillips,  who  was  a  reckless  fellow,  mounted 
on  "Old  Woolly,"  as  we  called  him,  came  up  at  a  gallop, 
saying,  "I  will  show  you  how  to  do  it,"  and,  to  the  surprise 
of  all,  "Old  Woolly"  cleared  it  by  two  feet. 

December  2d  the  battery  moved  on  to  new  grounds,  and, 
on  the  3d,  we  began  a  stable  for  the  officers'  horses.  On  the 
8th  we  commenced  a  stable  for  the  battery  horses.  The 
stables  were  good  and  substantial  and  were  situated  in  a 
ravine  so  that  the  horses  were  well  protected  from  the 
weather. 

On  the  9th  our  corps  was  re-enforced  by  five  new  regi 
ments.  On  the  same  day  and  the  day  following  there  was 
considerable  stir  among  our  troops,  and  the  artillery  of  our 
Grand  Division  was  put  in  position  on  the  bank  of  the  river 
opposite  the  city  of  Fredericksburg. 

On  the  10th  we  drew  new  clothing,  of  which  we  were 
greatly  in  need.  I  received  a  new  overcoat,  but  it  was  not 
as  good  a  one  as  the  one  issued  to  me  in  Rhode  Island. 


158  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    li.    I.    LICi  HT    ARTILLERY      [Dee., 


CHARTER  IX 

THE  BATTLE  OF  FREDERICKSBURG. 

ON  the  9th  of  December  our  corps  was  re-enforced  by 
five  new  regiments,  four  of  which  were  nine 
months'.  On  that  day  and  also  on  the  10th,  there 
was  considerable  activity  manifested  in  onr  army.  Gen 
eral  Hunt,  chief  of  artillery,  placed  nearly  all  the  guns  of 
our  Grand  Division  along  the  bank  of  the  river  opposite 
the  city  of  Fredericksburg,  and,  at  daylight,  Thursday,  the 
llth,  opened  fire  with  one  hundred  and  fifty  guns.  At  the 
same  time  the  engineers  started  to  lay  a  pontoon  bridge. 
Our  battery  did  not  fire  upon  the  city  as  it  was  kept  in 
readiness  to  cross  as  soon  as  the  bridge  was  laid.  After 
about  one-third  of  the  bridge  was  laid,  the  sharpshooters 
from  buildings  along  the  water  front  made  it  impossible 
to  lay  the  pontoon  and  it  was  abandoned.  It  seemed  to  me 
that  when  our  artillery  made  a  hole  through  one  of  the 
houses,  a  rifle  would  come  through  on  the  instant  and  fire 
upon  those  at  work  on  the  bridge.  Finding  it  impossible  to 
finish  laying  it  the  chief  engineer  came  up  to  our  Second 
Division  and  asked  for  volunteers  to  cross  in  boats  and 
drive  the  sharpshooters  out  from  the  buildings.  The  Nine 
teenth  and  Twentieth  Massachusetts  and  Seventh  Michi 
gan  all  stepped  out,  and  were  soon  marched  down  to  the 
river,  the  Seventh  Michigan  with  the  Nineteenth  Massa-. 
chusetts  was  chosen  to  go  in  the  boats,  while  the  Twentieth 
was  to  lie  in  support  while  the  others  were  crossing;  but 
by  some  mistake  or  misunderstanding,  they  also  took  boats 
and  crossed  into  the  city,  about  twenty  men  in  each  boat. 


1862.]  FBEDERICKSBUKG  159 

To  me  it  seemed  a  very  brave  act,  as  much  so  as  any  I  had 
ever  witnessed,  and  many  of  those  brave  fellows  dropped 
dead  or  wounded  before  reaching1  the  shore.  It  proved  a 
success  and  the  bridge  was  soon  laid,  and  the  remaining 
portion  of  our  Second  Division  was  soon  marching  over, 
with  some  of  the  new  troops  who  had  just  joined  us.  The 
enemy  made  no  attempt  to  dispute  the  passage  of  our 
troops  with  their  artillery,  but  their  sharpshooters  did 
considerable  execution  against  the  three  regiments  in  the 
boats,  who  lost  heavily.  The  Seventh  Michigan  lost  fif 
teen;  the  Nineteenth  Massachusetts  eight  in  the  boats,  while 
the  Twentieth  Massachusetts  lost  ninety  officers  and  men 
in  the  streets. 

One  of  the  bravest  men  that  crossed  over  that  day  was 
Stephen  Fuller,  a  chaplain  of  the  Sixteenth  Massachusetts, 
who  had  resigned  from  the  service  and  was  about  leaving 
for  home,  when,  learning  that  his  regiment  might  soon  be 
called  into  action,  he  refused  to  leave,  although  he  had  re 
ceived  his  discharge.  On  seeing  the  brave  volunteers  cross 
ing  the  river  he  determined  to  be  among  the  foremost  on 
that  perilous  mission.  He  crossed  with  the  Nineteenth 
Massachusetts,  and,  while  they  were  fighting  with  the  reb 
els  in  the  streets  of  Fredericksburg,  he  fell  dead,  rifle  in 
hand,  in  front  of  a  grocery  store  on  Carolina  Street. 

A  number  of  troops  crossed  in  the  night,  and  early  in  the 
morning  of  the  12th,  as  they  had  another  bridge  on  the 
lower  side  of  the  city  where  troops  were  crossing.  About 
eight  o'clock  that  morning  our  battery  received  orders  to 
cross,  it  being  the  first  battery  to  pass  over  the  river.  Our 
first  gun  had  only  started  down  the  bank  for  the  bridge 
when  the  enemy  opened  with  their  artillery,  the  first  gun 
they  had  fired  while  our  artillery  had  kept  up  a  constant 
cannonading  during  the  passage  of  our  troops.  When  the 
rebels  began  their  fire  they  made  it  rather  hot  for  us.  Iron 
fell  all  around  us  but  did  not  do  us  much  harm,  although 


160  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [1)63,, 

three  men  were  hit :  Sergt.  Willard  B.  Pierce  and  Charles 
V.  Scott  being  the  worst;  vet  none  were  disabled.  Frank's 
New  York  Battery  which  followed  ours  was  not  so  fortu 
nate,  however,  as  they  had  one  man  killed  and  several 
wounded,  and  one  gun  disabled.  Artillery  and  cavalry  were 
crossing  all  that  morning,  but  why  so  many  of  those  arms 
were  sent  over  at  that  time  I  never  could  understand,  as 
they  could  be  of  no  real  service  until  a  good  position  could 
be  secured  by  our  infantry.  Consequently  we  stood  all 
day  down  near  the  river.  There  was  some  fun  made  by 
one  of  the  new  regiments  that  started  across  shortly  after 
the  artillery  had  passed  over-  Its  band  was  playing,  "Bully 
for  You,"  when  the  rebels  opened  upon  them,  which  caused 
a  panic  for  awhile.  The  bass  drummer  ran  down  upon  the 
most  exposed  part  of  the  bank,  and,  dropping  his  drum,  lay 
down  behind  it.  It  was  about  as  much  protection  as  a  sheet 
of  paper.  The  streets  presented  some  very  strange  sights 
after  our  troops  gained  possession  of  the  city.  The  soldiers 
began  to  pillage  and  destroy.  Everything  in  the  way  of  fur 
niture  was  brought  into  the  streets.  Soldiers  dressed  in 
ladies'  dresses,  hats,  and  bonnets  paraded  through  the 
streets.  A'n  elegant  piano  might  be  seen  with  a  soldier 
drumming  on  its  keys,  while  another  would  be  dancing  on 
the  top  of  it.  Cooking  of  every  description  was  going  on  all 
night,  with  furniture  or  pianos  being  used  for  firewood. 
There  were  great  quantities  of  tobacco  and  everybody  who 
used  it  had  his  pockets  full. 

On  Saturday,  13th,  after  a  sleepless  night  with  so  much 
excitement  going  on,  bright  fires  burning,  and  the  soldiers 
cooking  their  rations,  I  took  a  stroll  around  the  city  as 
far  as  I  was  allowed  to  go.  Frequently  a  bullet  would  come 
whizzing  down  the  street.  It  was  a  very  unpleasant  sight 
to  see  the  destruction  of  property;  vandalism  reigned  su 
preme.  Men  who  at  home  were  modest  and  unassuming 
now  seemed  to  be  possessed  with  an  insatiate  desire  to  de 
stroy  everything  in  sight. 


GEN.  JOHN  G.  HAZARD. 

•Commissioned    First    Lieutenant    Battery   C ;    First    Lieutenant    Battery    A 

Captain  Battery  B  ;  Major  First  Rhode  Island  Light  Artillery, 

Chief  of  Second  Army  Corps ;  breveted  Colonel  and 

Brigadier-General  of  Volunteers. 


1862.]  FREDERICKSBURG  161 

Captain  Tompkins  having  been  promoted  to  be  major  of 
our  regiment  was  relieved  that  morning  by  Capt.  William 
A.  Arnold  who  had  been  promoted  from  a  lieutenant  in  Bat 
tery  E.  In  bidding  us  good-by  Captain  Tompkins  in  a  lit 
tle  speech,  introduced  our  new  captain  to  us,  who  in 
turn  addressed  the  battery  saying  that  he  understood  that 
we  were  a  fighting  set,  and  that  he  was  something  of  a 
fighter  himself,  and  expected  that  we  would  stand  by  him 
under  all  circumstances. 

After  sharp  skirmishing  during  the  morning,  the  battle 
began  about  half  past  ten  A.  M.,  when  we  soon  got  the  com 
mand  "Forward !"  and  started  directly  up  through  the  cen 
tre  of  the  city,  to  the  outlying  houses,  where  we  went  into 
battery  by  sections  in  different  yards,  the  right  section  be 
ing  just  to  the  left  of  Hanover  Street  in  the  yard  of  a  brick 
mansion.  Frank's  New  York  battery  was  on  our  left,  and 
Batteries  B  and  G  were  held  in  reserve,  Kirby's  battery  be 
ing  on  our  right  and  near  or  in  a  cemetery.  It  was  reported 
that  General  Couch  wanted  our  battery  put  to  the  front  to 
encourage  the  infantry  in  their  charge,  but  Colonel  Morgan, 
chief  of  our  brigade  of  artillery,  would  not  hear  to  putting 
rifle  guns  on  the  front  line  and  Battery  B  was  sent  on  its 
forlorn  hope  where  it  immediately  met  with  a  destructive 
fire  from  the  enemy,  losing  sixteen  men  wounded  and  twelve 
horses  killed  in  about  half  an  hour-  Battery  A  was  more 
fortunate,  having  only  two  men  wounded,  one  slightly. 
Henry  Hicks  was  shot  through  both  ankles  by  a  musket  ball, 
the  ball  entering  the  right  ankle  and  lodging  in  the  left, 
resulting  in  amputation  of  both  feet  and  his  final  discharge 
from  the  service.  We  did  not  realize  at  the  time  that  he 
was  so  badly  injured,  but  thought  that  he  would  soon  return 
to  duty  again  in  the  battery.  He  was  a  cool,  reliable,  and 
brave  soldier,  and  one  of  the  best  No.  1  men  I  ever  saw. 
He  was  a  great  loss  to  the  battery.  On  a  ridge  just  back  of 
our  section  was  a  fine  view  of  the  enemy's  lines  and  works. 
11 


162  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [Dec., 

General  Couch  aiid  other  generals  with  their  staffs  occupied 
this  position  frequently  during  the  day.  On  one  occasion 
Avhen  the  troops  broke  in  the  charge  and  came  back  panic- 
stricken  and  the  men  of  our  battery  were  trying  to  stop 
them,  General  Couch  said :  "Let  them  go,  when  they  are 
out  of  the  way  the  good  men  can  do  something."  Shortly 
afterward,  looking  around  he  saw  quite  a  number  of  his 
staff  and  others  collecting  around  him  and  he  said  quite  ex 
citedly:  "Spread  out  there!  What  are  you  thinking  of! 
One  shell  through  here  would  catch  a  half-dozen  or  more, 
spread  out!"  During  the  evening  our  section  went  into  a 
brick  mansion  near  by  and  sat  down  to  the  table  in  the 
kitchen  and  were  having  what  was  for  us  a  banquet,  the 
light  shining  brightly  from  the  windows  in  the  ell,  when 
presently  a  bullet  came  through  one  window  and  went  out 
of  the  opposite  one  but  did  not  happen  to  hit  any  one.  The 
light  was  quickly  extinguished  and  every  one  of  our  soldiers 
started  for  his  position  in  line.  1  confiscated  a  tablecloth, 
the  finest  one  I  had  ever  seen,  also  a  good  shotgun,  both  of 
which  I  managed  to  send  home. 

When  I  lay  down  to  rest  that  night  the  fog  was  very 
thick,  and  the  weather  cold  and  disagreeable.  All  was  quiet 
except  the  occasional  moaning  of  the  poor,  wounded  soldiers 
lying  upon  the  field  between  the  picket-Hues,  and,  as  it  was 
impossible  for  me  to  sleep  on  account  of  it,  I  arose  about 
9.30.  About  this  time  Surgeon  S.  F.  Haven,  Jr.,  of  the 
Fifteenth  Massachusetts,  came  up  the  street  and  said  in 
quite  a  loud  voice,  "For  God's  sake!  is  there  no  one  who  will 
go  and  help  those  poor  fellows  out  of  their  suffering?" 
Whereupon,  a  driver,  Walter  Arnold,  of  our  section,  volun 
teered  to  go ;  I  offered  to  go  also.  So  we  started  with  the 
surgeon  down  near  a  brick  mansion,  near  where  Battery  B 
had  been  stationed,  where  the  doctor  had  a  rude  table  fixed 
up,  and  from  there  we  went  to  work.  I  was  sent  out  with 
a  canteen  with  some  whiskv  in  it  with  orders  what  to  do 


1862.]  FEEDER  1C  KSUURf;  It.)  3 

wlien  I  fomid  a  wounded  man.  I  started  directly  towards  a 
wounded  soldier  that  I  could  hear  very  plainly.  Our  out 
posts  were  near  by,  and,  after  passing  them  I  had  to  creep 
on  my  hands  and  knees,  and  I  must  say  it  was  the  toughest 
job  I  ever  undertook,  or  ever  expect  to  again.  I  brought  in 
six  on  my  back  and  came  near  getting  shot  by  a  rebel  out 
post,  as  I  had  crept  very  close  to  him  in  the  fog  to  get  one 
of  our  men  who  was  groaning  very  loud  and  who  had  had 
his  leg  shattered.  When  I  touched  him  he  cried  out  so  loud 
that  the  rebel  sentry  pulled  back  the  hammer  of  his  gun  and 
put  it  up  to  his  shoulder  to  shoot,  but,  after  a  few  minutes, 
he  took  it  down  and  said,  "If  you  yell  out  again  like  that 
you  damned  Yank,  I'll  fix  you  anyway."  I  hugged  the 
ground  very  close  until  he  became  quiet,  then,  after  great 
exertion  and  after  giving  him  two  or  three  drinks  of  whisky, 
I  got  the  man  on  my  back  and  crept  to  where  our  stretcher 
bearers  were.  On  taking  him  to  the  operating  table  I  found 
on  reaching  it,  to  my  sorrow,  that  Dr.  Haven  had  been  killed 
by  a  shot  fired  from  the  rebels  as  he  was  engaged  in  his  sad 
duties  of  ministering  to  our  wounded  comrades.  It  was  a 
great  loss  as  Dr.  Haven  was  a  skillful  surgeon,  besides  be 
ing  a.  brave  and  good-hearted  man.  At  about  twelve  o'clock 
we  were  relieved,  and  soon  afterwards  went  back  to  the 
battery.  I  was  numb  and  cold  from  being  soaked  with  mud 
and  water  and  a  sight  to  behold-  I  kept  on  down  the  street 
until  I  came  to  where  a  group  of  soldiers  had  a  good  fire 
and  stopped  and  got  warm.  After  they  found  out  who  I 
was  there  was  nothing  good  enough  for  me.  They  made 
me  coffee  and  cooked  cakes  from  flour  they  had  foraged  from 
the  houses.  I  stayed  until  after  three  o'clock,  when  I  be 
came  dry  and  warm  and  then  went  back  to  the  battery  to 
get  an  hour's  sleep  if  possible. 

On  the  14th  the  rebels  would  not  let  me  sleep  long,  as  they 
fired  on  our  lines  with  heavy  guns,  but  after  the  first  few 
shots,  they  were  not  very  accurate  as  it  was  foggy  and  they 


164  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [Dec., 

could  not  keep  their  range.  One  shell  struck  our  centre 
section  and  killed  Sergeant  Thompson's  horse  and  wounded 
Charles  Spencer,  an  attached  man,  and  shattered  a  limber. 
It  was  reported  that  General  Sumner  was  much  opposed  to 
another  advance,  as  he  considered  that  it  was  impossible  to 
carry  Marye's  Heights,  so  that  it  was  abandoned  and  Ave 
were  quiet  all  day.  Some  of  the  hungry  ones  were  cooking 
in  the  houses. 

It  was  at  this  battle  John  F.  Leach,  our  battery  guidon, 
again  distinguished  himself.  He  was  acting  orderly  for 
Captain  Arnold  at  the  time  of  the  battle,  and,  at  the  request 
of  Colonel  Morgan,  chief  of  artillery  of  the  Second  Corps,  he 
was  detailed  as  his  orderly.  The  chief  took  Leach  to  all  the 
artillery  captains  and  said  to  them  that  if  at  any  time  dur 
ing  the  battle  Leach  came  to  them  and  desired  them  to  go 
with  him  they  were  to  obey  his  (Leach's)  orders  as  much  as 
if  he  (Morgan)  should  be  present  in  person.  He  then  came 
with  John  down  near  our  battery,  and,  from  behind  a  brick 
building,  and  pointing  toward  the  rebel  lines,  told  Leach  to 
go  out  and  examine  the  land  and  see  if  horses  could  work 
upon  it;  also  to  look  at  a  ridge  of  land  in  the  distance  and 
find  out  how  many  guns  could  be  put  upon  it.  After  making 
a  close  examination  and  being  shot  at  from  close  range,  he 
reported  that  it  was  available  for  artillery  and  was  ordered 
by  Colonel  Morgan  to  go  and  bring  Battery  B,  First  Rhode 
Island  Light  Artillery,  and  put  it  in  position  there,  which 
mission  he  successfully  accomplished  without  receiving  a 
scratch.  The  battery  remained  about  half  an  hour  in  that 
perilous  position,  and,  as  has  already  been  stated,  losing 
sixteen  men  wounded  and  twelve  horses  killed. 

General  Couch  says  he  ordered  Hazard's  battery  (B)  to 
be  sent  across  the  mill  race.  General  Hooker  in  his  testi 
mony  before  the  Committee  on  the  Conduct  of  the  War, 
spoke  as  if  he  ordered  it  into  position.  He  did  order  Cap 
tain  Frank's  First  New  York  Artillery  to  be  sent  in  support 


1862.]  FREDERICKSBUHCJ  165 

of  Hazard,  but  the  placing*  of  Battery  B  was  the  act  of  Pri 
vate  John  F-  Leach-  guidon  bearer  of  Battery  A,  by  order  of 
Colonel  Morgan,  chief  of  artillery  of  the  Second  Corps. 

The  morning  of  the  loth  found  me  lying  asleep  under  a 
tarpaulin,  but  was  routed  out  early  as  the  enemy  began  fir 
ing  (both  artillery  and  infantry),  and  kept  it  up  all  day. 
Generals  Couch,  Howard,  and  some  others  looked  over  our 
lines  and  said  they  would  send  some  infantrymen  to  throw 
up  a  breastwork  for  us.  Our  battery  was  engaged  in  throw 
ing  up  works  all  that  day  behind  fences,  and  quite  often  we 
would  get  a  shot  from  the  rebels'  heavy  guns,  but  were  very 
fortunate  in  having  only  three  men  wounded  and  a  few 
horses  killed  (the  captain's  and  Sergeant  Thompson's), 
also  one  limber  wrecked  and  a  number  of  wheels. 

Comrade  Walter  Arnold,  who  went  with  me  to  assist  in 
carrying  the  wounded  from  the  field,  says  in  a  letter  written 
to  me  quite  recently :  "Do  you  remember  that  shell  at 
Fredericksburg  that  came  over  to  our  gun  after  striking  the 
ground  four  times  before  it  got  there,  then  taking  Sergeant 
Thompson's  horse's  head  off  and  the  heel  off  my  wheel  driver, 
George  War-field,  and  killing  two  of  the  infantry  that  was 
lying  back  to  support  us?  I  saw  that  shell  every  time  it 
struck  the  ground,  and  when  it  hit  the  horse  the  blood  flowed 
all  over  me-  Then  do  you  recollect  about  seeing  that  grave 
with  a  Avooden  head  board  which  had  'Our  Little  Willie'  on 
it?  I  told  my  swing  driver  to  get  me  a  shovel  and  I  would 
see  what  'Little  Willie'  was,  and  how  I  dug  it  up  and  it  was 
a  box  with  eight  nice  smoked  hams  in  it,  and  we  were  all  of 
us  cannibals  eating  'Little  Willie'  for  a  week  after  it." 

With  the  exception  of  foggy  nights  and  mornings,  which 
proved  to  be  an  advantage  to  us  as  it  concealed  our  move 
ments  from  the  observations  of  the  enemy,  we  had  had  fine 
weather  all  the  time  while  in  Fredericksburg. 

On  the  night  of  the  15th  I  Avas  enjoying  myself  sleeping, 
when  we  were  routed  out  about  midnight  and  told  to  pack 


166  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY 

quickly  and  get  away  as  fast  as  we  could.  I  don't  know 
how  the  rest  felt,  but  I  was  not  behind  and  did  not  feel 
easy  until  we  were  across  the  river,  where  we  went  into 
position,  the  whole  army  crossing  through  the  night  under 
cover  of  the  guns.  This  movement  was  hard  on  both  men 
and  horses.  After  getting  into  position  on  the  other  side 
of  the  river  it  was  not  long  before  our  men  who  had  become 
exhausted,  lay  down  and  were  soon  fast  asleep.  I  went 
across  the  river  again  with  a  large  detail  of  soldiers  to  help 
bury  the  dead.  It  was  a  duty  I  never  desire  to  do  again,  as 
the  sights  we  were  compelled  to  witness  were  horrible  in 
deed. 

About  eight  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  16th  it  began 
to  rain,  and  it  poured  down  in  torrents,  and  soon  drowned 
us  out  of  the  place  where  we  were  temporarily  encamped. 
It  was  very  disagreeable,  but  we  were  compelled  to  endure 
it.  After  all  the  troops  were  over  and  bridge  taken  up,  we 
started  for  our  old  camp  back  of  Falmouth,  on  the  hill,  and 
had  a  hard  pull  to  get  there.  Mud  was  very  deep  that  even 
ing. 

The  17th  found  us  back  in  our  old  camp  again,  and,  al 
though  somewhat  disheartened  over  the  disasters  of  the 
battle,  we  set  to  work  to  put  our  camp  into  the  condition 
it  was  in  before  the  fight.  It  was  quite  cold  and  consider 
able  snow  fell  through  the  day. 

I  had  just  recovered  from  the  exhaustion  and  work  of  as 
sisting  in  burying  the  dead.  While  engaged  in  that  grew- 
some  occupation,  with  the  rebels  under  a  flag  of  truce,  I  be 
came  somewhat  acquainted  with  them,  and  they  cut  off 
every  button  of  my  jacket  to  carry  away  as  souvenirs. 

On  the  18th  the  weather  was  cold  and  raw.  and  wood  was 
getting  scarce,  and  it  looked  as  if  we  would  be  obliged  to 
go  back  some  distance  to  obtain  firewood-  When  we  first 
encamped  there  it  was  on  the  edge  of  an  extensive  belt  of 
woods. 


1862.]  FALMOUTH  107 

On  the  24th  it  came  out  pleasant  and  warm.  We  had 
an  artillery  inspection.  Generals  Simmer,  Howard,  and 
Sully,  with  their  staffs  were  present,  and  Col.  C.  H.  Tomp- 
kins  complimented  us  on  our  fine  appearance. 

On  the  25th  my  diary  says :  "A  merry  Christinas !" 
That  sounded  well  but  it  Avas  what  the  people  at  home 
would  call  a  very  dull  one.  There  was  nothing  but  the  reg 
ulation  hard-bread  and  pork  for  breakfast,  dinner,  and  sup 
per.  It  was  quite  warm  and  a  fine  day,  with  no  duty  except 
the  regular  camp  duty,  and  a  general  day  of  vi siting  among 
the  other  batteries.  I  went  over  to  Battery  B  and  saw 
some  of  them,  and  found  them  feeling  well  after  their  ter 
rible  losses  in  action. 

The  2Gth  was  another  fine  day.  I  went  into  the  woods 
again  and  chopped  all  day  long  and  went  on  guard  that 
night.  From  that  time  until  the  first  of  January  every  day 
was  alike,  nothing  but  drill  and  camp  duty,  with  good 
weather  prevailing  until  the  31st,  when  it  came  out  cold 
with  quite  a  snowstorm.  We  signed  the  pay  rolls  for  the 
months  of  November  and  December.  There  were  four 
months'  pay  due  us.  It  had  been  an  eventful  month  for  us. 

January  1st.  A  Happy  New  Year  was  what  we  were 
looking  for,  but  it  never  came  to  us.  Without  money,  in 
camp,  and  a  poor  supply  of  rations,  Ave  thought  a  happy 
neAAr  year  rather  a  misnomer.  Nothing  of  importance  oc 
curred  in  the  life  of  our  battery  until  the  20th  of  the  month. 
About  that  time  Ave  had  finished  the  stables  for  our  horses. 
The  stables  were  good  ones,  situated  in  a  Avell  protected 
ravine,  and  the  horses  Avere  all  in  good  condition.  The 
weather  continued  warm  until  about  the  middle  of  the 
month. 

On  the  (Jtli  of  January  news  of  the  battle  of  Murfreesboro 
Avas  read. 

On  the  10th  it  came  out  very  cold,  and  a  very  disagreeable 
rain  set  in.  Orders  were  issued  to  have  three  days'  rations 


168  BATTER. Y    A,    FIRST    K.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [Jan., 

on  hand.  We  were  kept  in  suspense  all  the  time,  expecting 
to  move  at  any  moment. 

On  the  17th  the  army  had  a  grand  review  by  General 
Burnside,  and  it  made  a  fine  appearance. 

It  Avas  quiet  all  day  Sunday ,  the  18th,  but  bitterly  cold, 
and  the  river  was  frozen  over.  We  were  under  marching 
orders. 

On  the  20th  the  army  began  marching  up  the  river  to 
wards.  Kelly's  and  United  States  fords.  The  weather  was 
very  disagreeable;  rain  and  snow  fell  about  all  day.  It 
was  a  pitiful  sight  to  see  the  poor  fellows  paddling  along 
in  the  mud.  It  looked  like  a  general  movement  of  the  whole 
army. 

On  the  21st,  to  the  surprise  of  everybody,  we  remained 
in  camp. 

On  the  22d  the  storm  continued  with  severity,  and  so  we 
remained  in  camp.  This  was  a  disagreeable  but  much  bet 
ter  day  than  yesterday  to  be  on  the  march. 

On  the  2.3d  Franklin's  division  inarched  back  to  their 
quarters.  This  advance  movement,  which  finally  came  to 
naught,  was  knoAvn  as  "Burnside's  Mud  March/'  It  was 
hard  for  the  horses  to  get  along,  even  without  anything  be 
ing  attached  to  them,  and  the  soldiers  were  exhausted  in 
helping  to  get  guns  and  wagons  out  of  the  mud.  We  could 
deeply  sympathize  with  those  unfortunates  who  were  com 
pelled  to  undergo  such  trying  labor. 

On«  the  24th  it  came  out  clear  and  warm  again.  It  did 
seem  as  if  the  elements  were  against  the  Army  of  the  Poto 
mac  and  Burnside.  Stragglers  kept  coming  in  all  day,  and 
it  was  reported  that  there  were  a  good  many  soldiers  who 
had  died  from  exposure  on  the  march.1 

The  26th  was  an  eventful  day  for  our  battery,  as  wre  re 
ceived  two  months'  pay,  which  meant  something  better  to 
eat  than  the  unpalatable  rations,  if  the  sutler  had  any  tooth 
some  supplies  on  hand.  On  this  day  we  were  greatly  sur 
prised  and  grieved  to  learn  that  our  revered  General  Sum- 


CAPT.  JEFFREY  HAZARD. 


Commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  Battery  A ;  Adjutant  of  the  First  Rhode 
Island  Light  Artillery;  First  Lieutenant  Battery  A;  Captain  Battery  H. 


1863.]  FALMOUTH  169 

ner  liad  retired  forever  from  active  service  in  the  field.  His 
courage  and  magnanimity  were  proverbial.  No  one  of 
his  soldiers  would  ever  have  imagined  that  he  would  die 
among  peaceful  surroundings,  but  rather  amid  the  clash 
and  din  of  battle.  Yet  so  it  was  that  within  the  brief  space 
of  three  months  this  gallant  soul,  the  very  embodiment  of 
lieroic  devotion  to  duty,  of  daring  enterprise  and  unshrink 
ing  exposure  to  danger,  was  peacefully  to  end  his  career  at 
his  home  in  Syracuse,  X.  Y.,  from  mere  exhaustion  of  the 
vital  powers.  In  bidding  farewell  to  his  troops,  General 
Sunnier  said :  "I  have  only  to  recall  to  you  the  memories 
of  the  past  in  which  you  have  fought  so  many  battles  with 
credit  and  honor  always,  in  •which  you  have  captured  so 
many  colors,  without  losing  a  single  gun  or  standard;  and 
to  urge  that,  keeping  this  recollection  in  your  hearts,  you 
prove  yourselves  worthy  of  it.  It  is  only  in  so  doing  that 
you  can  retain  for  yourselves  a  reputation  well  won,  and 
which,  I  feel,  will  be  preserved  under  the  gallant  and  able 
commander.  Major-General  Couch,  to  whom  I  confide  you." 
The  loss  of  this  venerated  and  heroic  general  to  the  Second 
Corps  was  inestimable  and  greatly  deplored. 

On  the  28th  it  was  reported  that  Gen.  Joseph  Hooker 
was  to  supersede  General  Burnside  in  command  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  This  report  was  confirmed  a  few 
days  later  by  general  orders  from  the  Avar  department. 

On  the  3d  of  February  Captain  Arnold  was  thrown  from 
his  horse,  and  appeared  to  be  quite  badly  hurt,  although 
no  bones  were  broken.  He  went  home  on  a  leave  of  absence 
for  a  few  days. 

The  4th  was  a  cold  and  disagreeable  day,  but  the  5th  was 
a  welcome  one  to  the  army  as  we  received  soft  bread,  which 
was  a  great  treat,  it  being  the  first  we  had  had  since  leaving 
Harper's  Ferry. 

On  the  7th  there  was  little  improvement  in  the  weather. 
Our  corps  commander,  General  Couch,  returned  to  take 
command  again,  and  General  Sedgwick  took  command  of 


170  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    JR.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [Feb.r 

the  Sixth  Corps.  General  Hooker  made  a  number  of 
changes,  and  said  he  intended  to  place  the  volunteers  on  the 
same  level  with  the  regulars.  I  would  have  liked  to  in 
quire  when  they  were  above  us  at  any  time  or  on  any  field. 

From  the  1st  of  February  until  the  22d  there  Avas  noth 
ing  of  unusual  interest  transpiring  in  our  camp.  The 
rebels  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  seemed  to  be  busy 
throwing  up  breastworks  and  rifle-pits.  The  pickets  on 
both  sides  of  the  river  seemed  quite  civil,  except  on  occa 
sions  when  there  was  firing  going  on.  They  talked  across 
the  river  and  made  fun  of  our  generals,  in  regard  to  what 
Hooker  would  do;  also  inquired  why  we  did  not  come  over 
again.  The  men  on  our  side  had  ready  answers  to  their 
taunts,  especially  those  in  the  Irish  regiment,  who  always 
had  some  witty  retort  in  return.  It  began  to  snow  on  the 
21st,  and  it  kept  up  all  night;  and,  on  Sunday,  the  22d, 
Washington's  birthday,  it  was  the  deepest  snow  I  had  ever 
seen  in  Virginia.  There  \vas  to  have  been  a  general  parade 
of  troops,  but  the  heavy  fall  of  snow  prevented  it.  How 
ever,  a  salute  of  thirty-five  guns  was  fired  by  the  different 
corps,  our  battery  firing  for  the  Second  Corps.  The  snow 
was  so  heavy  our  guns,  the  three-inch  field  pieces,  did  not 
make  a  report  loud  enough  to  be  heard  a  mile.  The  rebel 
batteries  also  fired  on  their  side,  and  the  bands  in  Fred- 
ericksburg  played.  In  a  few  days  the  snow  had  about  gone, 
but  light  snow  and  frequent  rain  prevailed  as  a  rule  for 
the  month. 

On  the  28th  Kobert  Eaynor,  who  was  wounded  at  Antie- 
tam,  returned  from  the  hospital. 

On  March  1st  it  rained  in  the  morning,  but  it  was  quite 
warm,  and  mud  seemed  everywhere  to  abound.  Wood  was 
scarce,  and  the  troops  had  to  be  sparing  in  the  use  of  it.  It 
was  the  same  old  story  every  day,  regular  camp  duty  and 
drill  at  the  manual,  when  weather  permitted. 

Nothing  of  importance  occurred  until  the  5th,  when  the 
battery  hitched  up  and  started  for  the  big  open  plain  about. 


FIRST  LIEUT.  CHARLES  H.  CLARK. 
Enrolled  as  Corporal  Battery  A  ;     First   Lieutenant   Battery  C. 


1863.]  FALMOUTH  171 

half  a  mile  from  camp,  and  passed  in  review  before  General 
Hooker.  The  army  made  a  fine  appearance.  Our  battery 
returned  to  camp  a  little  past  twelve  o'clock,  and  the  rest 
of  the  day  was  spent  in  visiting  and  in  listening  to  yarns 
from  the  "busybody  club." 

On  the  6th,  the  weather  being  good,  we  had  a  battery 
drill ;  the  first  in  a  long  time. 

On  the  12th  the  army  slept  on  its  arms,  as  it  was  reported 
that  the  enemy  were  making  a  movement  on  our  rear. 

On  the  13th  the  cavalry  made  a  demonstration  on  the  en 
emy's  flank. 

On  the  17th,  St.  Patrick's  Day,  there  was  considerable  fun 
over  at  General  Sickles's  and  Meaghers  headquarters. 
There  was  a  great  horse  race,  on  flat  ground,  over  hurdles 
and  ditches.  I  ran  a  big  buckskin  that  worked  on  a  bat 
tery  wagon,  but  she  wouldn't  take  the  big  ditch  so  was 
beaten  out.  Our  blacksmith  had  a  very  fast  horse  for 
about  half  or  three-quarters  of  a  mile.  Our  officers 
matched  him  against  a  horse  at  Sixth  Corps  headquarters. 
Meagher's  men  made  a  gala  day  of  it,  and  everybody  had  a 
good  time.  During  the  afternoon  long  roll  was  sounded 
throughout  the  camp  as  cannonading  Avas  heard  off  in  the 
direction  of  Stafford  Court  House.  The  excitement  and  fir 
ing  yesterday  Avas  at  Rappahannock  Station. 

On  the  20th  and  21st  a  snoAVstorm.  On  the  23d  the  death 
of  our  old  beloved  General  Sumner  Avas  announced  to  us  in 
line.  The  death  of  this  beloved  general  cast  a  gloom  over 
the  heart  of  each  comrade.  He  died  in  Syracuse,  N.  Y., 
March  21,  1863.. 

On  March  25th  our  cavalry  crossed  the  Rappahannock 
and  made  a  demonstration  on  the  enemy. 

On  the  30th  there  was  an  inspection  of  baggage.  Three 
spare  Avheels  were  taken  from  the  battery. 

April  1st  Avas  a  warm,  pleasant  day.  About  tAvo  o'clock, 
A.  M.,  Colonel  Morgan,  the  chief  of  staff,  came  to  our  camp 
and  gaATe  orders  to  hitch  up  and  be  ready  to  move,  as  it  Avas 


172  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY    [April, 

reported  that  rebel  cavalry  was  crossing  by  United  States 
Ford.  We  remained  hitched  up  until  after  daylight,  when 
we  unhitched  again,  and  quiet  reigned  all  day.  It  was 
what  I  called  an  April  Fool's  joke. 

On  the  3d  General  Gibbon  reviewed  the  Second  Division 
of  the  Second  Corps  near  Falmouth. 

April  8th.  President  Lincoln  was  here  to  day  with  his 
family,  and  reviewed  the  whole  army.  His  tall  figure  and 
his  pale  face  were  very  noticeable.  His  little  son  "Thad" 
seemed  to  take  great  interest  in  the  soldiers  and  camp  life. 
1  wished  that  we  had  had  a  few  men  like  him  to  have  helped 
him  out  in  his  efforts  to  end  this  terrible  war  and  bring 
peace  to  our  distracted  country. 

On  the  10th,  in  addition  to  our  regular  camp  duties,  we 
had  another  muster  in  the  army. 

The  12th  was  a  fine,  warm  day,  and  I  enjoyed  it.  I  re 
ceived  a  detail  to  go  to  Acquia  Creek.  I  saw  there  the  Sec 
ond  Khode  Island  Regiment  down  on  the  left.  They  ap 
peared  to  be  in  good  spirits,  but  did  not  get  into  .the  Fred- 
ericksburg  fight.  They  crossed  the  river  down  on  the  left 
with  their  brigade,  but  were  not  actively  engaged. 

April  13th  our  cavalry  were  marching  by  us  steadily  all 
day,  and  were  loaded  with  extra  forage.  It  looked  like  a 
big  journey  ahead  for  them. 

On  the  18th,  after  the  regular  camp  duties,  orders  were 
issued  to  put  a  sack  of  grain  on  all  of  the  ammunition  boxes, 
and  one  on  each  of  the  guns,  which  had  the  appearance  of 
a  long,  hard  march  in  prospect. 

On  the  20th  the  cavalry  returned  from  up  the  river, 
and  brought  with  them  a  number  of  prisoners.  Secretary 
of  War  Stanton  visited  our  army  that  day.  The  sick  in  the 
hospitals  were  being  sent  away,  which  indicated  a  forward 
movement. 

On  the  22d  we  were  cheered  by  the  presence  of  the  pay 
master  in  camp.  We  received  pay  for  four  months,  and 
the  sutlers  did  a  thriving  business  and  reaped  a  harvest  for 


1863.]  FALMOUTH  173 

a   few   days.     The    allotment    commissioner,    H.    Amsbury, 
took  a  good  part  of  the  pay  of  our  men  to  Rhode  Island. 

On  the  27th  we  had  some  distinguished  foreign  officers 
of  the  Swiss  army  in  camp,  so  the  battery  was  hitched  up 
and  manoeuvred  for  their  benefit.  They  were  guests  at 
army  headquarters,  and,  in  looking  over  the  artillery,  they 
appeared  quite  pleased.  We  received  that  night  marching 
orders  for  the  morrow,  which  looked  like  business. 


174  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    B.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY    [April, 


CHAPTER  X 

CHANCEKLORSVILLE. 

ON  April  28th  we  were  routed  out  about  two  o'clock 
in  the   morning,   and   about  six   broke   camp.     We 
were  attached  to  the  Third  Division,  under  General 
French,    but    our    Second   Division    remained   behind.     We 
halted  at  noon  and  went  into  camp  in  the  woods  between 
Banks  and  United  States  Fords,  about  seven  miles  distant. 
The  pontoons  passed  by  our  camp  that  evening. 

The  29th  found  us  on  the  march.  We  remained  in  camp 
until  about  two  o'clock,  when  we  marched  until  nearly  dark. 
On  the  30th  our  cavalry  was  reported  as  having  crossed 
the  Kappahannock  without  opposition,  which  seemed 
strange,  as  it  was  a  fortified  position.  Before  crossing  an 
order  was  read  in  line  from  General  Hooker  announcing 
that  the  Twelfth  and  Fifth  corps  had  turned  the  enemy's 
flank  by  crossing  the  Rapidan  at  Germania  Ford,  com 
pelling  them  to  fight  us  on  our  own  ground.  We  crossed 
over  the  pontoon  which  had  been  laid  about  five  o'clock, 
p.  M.  When  some  two  miles  from  the  river  we  met  about 
two  hundred  prisoners.  While  we  were  talking  to  them 
some  acted  surly,  but  others  were  very  pleasant.  A  num 
ber  of  the  boys  of  our  battery  made  them  some  coffee,  and 
did  all  they  could  for  them.  One  had  a  bad  wound  on  his 
arm,  which  I  dressed,  and  he  cried  like  a  child;  also  gave 
me  his  name  and  those  of  his  relatives,  who  lived  in  Rich 
mond,  and  I  promised  him  that  I  would  go  and  see  them  if 
we  ever  reached  that  place.  On  our  march  to  Chancellors- 
ville  it  was  a  beautiful  moonlight  night,  and  General 
Hooker  and  staff  passed  us.  We  halted  for  the  night  near 


1863.]  CHANCELLORSVILLE  175 

the  plank  road  at  Chancellorsville.  It  was  rumored  that 
night  that  Sedgwick's  division  of  our  corps  had  taken  Fred 
erick  sbtirg. 

On  the  morning  of  May  1st  the  sun  came  out  warm  and 
clear,  and  everything  seemed  to  be  progressing  rapidly, 
when,  about  ten  o'clock,  to  our  left  down  the  plank  road 
toward  Fredericksburg,  the  battle  opened  very  sharp. 
French's  division,  to  which  our  battery  had  been  attached, 
went  up  the  road  to  Todd's  Tavern,  but  returned  immedi 
ately,  and  formed  in  line  in  support  of  our  First  Division, 
which  was  falling  back.  Sykes's  division  of  the  regulars 
was  fighting  fiercely,  supported  by  Hancock's  division.  We 
opened  and  kept  up  our  fire  for  some  time,  until  General 
Couch,  learning  that  our  position  was  outflanked,  ordered 
our  division  to  fall  back.  As  we  were  withdrawing  to  take 
up  a  new  line  we  could  hear  the  rebel  officers  in  the  woods 
giving  commands  to  fix  bayonets.  We  left  in  double-quick 
order,  and,  by  skill  and  good  generalship  on  the  part  of 
Hancock,  he,  with  his  skirmishers.,  assisted  by  the  regulars, 
came  out  safely  and  went  into  line  of  battle  in  the  rear  of 
Chancellor  house,  and  facing  the  plank  road.  After  march 
ing  up  the  hill  our  troops  met  the  enemy  on  top  where  we 
<?ould  doubtless  have  driven  them  from  their  position,  but 
for  some  reason  unknown  to  the  soldiers  in  the  ranks  we 
were  ordered  back,  fighting  every  inch  of  the  way,  in  the 
same  manner  as  we  did  from  Fair  Oaks  to  Malvern  Hill, 
only  with  heavier  losses.  Our  troops  continued  to  come  in 
all  the  afternoon  and  evening  very  much  discouraged.  I 
was  talking  with  Fred  Moies  and  Fred  Pond,  of  Battery  0, 
of  our  regiment,  who  were  ordered  from  the  hill  to  lower 
ground  and  put  into  position  to  fight.  There  were  dismal 
forebodings  in  camp  that  night.  The  fight  lasted  long  after 
dark,  and  even  when  the  moon  arose  it  found  the  com 
batants  still  engaged  in  deadly  conflict. 

During  the  night  of  the  1st  our  troops  were  formed  as 
follows:  The  Fifth  Corps  on  the  extreme  left;  next 


176  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R,    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [May, 

French's  and  Hancock's  divisions  of  the  Second  Corps;  then 
Geary's  and  Williams's  of  the  Twelfth;  then  the  Third 
Corps  under  Sickles;  and,  on  the  extreme  right,  the 
Eleventh  Corps  under  Howard,  the  whole  line  forming  a 
horseshoe.  Our  battery  was  stationed  with  other  batteries 
to  the  right  of  our  division,  and  in  support  of  the  Eleventh 
and  Third  corps.  There  was  no  chance  for  artillery,  owing 
to  the  woods,  but  there  was  sharp  skirmishing  all  day  up  to 
about  four  o'clock,  when  the  battle  broke  out  on  the 
right,  and  it  had  hardly  commenced  before  the  Eleventh 
Corps  broke  and  came  through  our  lines,  and  the  stampede 
began.  Bull  Run,  Games'  Mill,  or  Chantilly  did  not  equal 
it.  Every  soldier  in  our  corps  tried  to  stop  them  by  using 
swords,  sponge-staffs,  muskets,  and  anything  else  we  could 
get  hold  of,  but  to  no  purpose.  Every  kind  of  practical 
joke  was  played  upon  the,m,  but  with  no  avail,  as  they  were 
perfectly  wild.  The  cry  of  the  Dutch  soldiers,  the  roar  of 
artillery  and  musketry  was  fearful,  and  lasted  until  after 
sunset.  It  was  reported  that  the  artillery  suffered  heavily 
on  both  days,  and  that  a  number  of  guns  had  been  lost. 
The  rebels  were  quick  to  see  the  advantage  of  their  position 
and  were  bound  to  maintain  it,  and  it  began  to  look  as  if 
we  would  have  very  hard  work  to  get  across  the  river  again. 
During  the  night  of  May  3d  uewT  lines  of  battle  were 
planned,  and  entrenchments  were  thrown  up.  It  looked  as 
far  as  could  be  seen  in  the  open  field  like  a  row  of  horse 
shoes  lying  inside  of  each  other.  The  position  of  our  bat 
tery  was  critical,  being  on  a  line  with  the  infantry,  with 
long  range  guns  of  small  bore,  and  it  looked  as  if,  in  that 
wooded  district,  nothing  but  canister  could  be  used;  but  as 
luck  would  have  it  we  were  ordered  back  to  the  Rappahan- 
nock.  When  about  half  way  to  the  river  we  met  General 
Reynolds,  with  the  First  Corps,  going  to  the  front.  Upon 
arriving  there  we  found  Kirby's  and  a  number  of  the  other 
batteries  had  already  preceded  us.  Our  lines  fell  back  to 
the  rifle-pits  we  occupied  the  night  before,  and  the  fight  be 
gan  about  six  the  next  morning  across  the  plank  road.  At 


1863.]  CHANCELLORS  V1LLE  177 

ten  o'clock  we  were  ordered  to  the  front  again,  with  Kirby 's 
battery.  Colonel  Morgan  was  quite  angry  that  we  went  in 
at  all,  as  all  he  wanted  was  short  range  guns,  and  it  seemed 
that  Kirby  had  ordered  us  back  on  his  own  responsibility. 
He  Avas  put  in  command  of  the  Fifth  Maine  (Lepine's) 
Battery.  His  battery  Went  into  park  and  Lieutenant 
Kirby  was  mortally  wounded.  On  our  way  to  the  front 
that  morning  we  met  some  of  the  Third  Corps  with  a  regi 
ment  of  rebels  whom  they  had  taken  prisoners.  They  had 
captured  four  rebel  flags.  The  Fifth  Maine  Battery  sus 
tained  a  very  heavy  loss  that  day.  It  was  reported  that 
night  that  General  Sedgwick,  commanding  the  Sixth  Corps, 
formerly  commander  of  our  Second  Division  of  the  Sec 
ond  Corps,  had  carried  Marye's  Heights  by  storm,  and 
that  Battery  G,  which  we  were  taking  the  place  of,  wras 
badly  cut  up,  also  that  Sedgwick  was  obliged  to  abandon 
the  Heights,  and  was  then  fighting  at  Banks's  Ford.  He 
was  nearly  surrounded,  and  some  of  our  cavalry  and  horse 
artillery  went  to  help  him.  Fighting  was  kept  up  all  night 
by  moonlight.  The  woods  were  on  fire  and  it  looked  as  if 
our  wrounded  and  dead  would  be  burned.  It  was  reported 
by  prisoners  brought  in  that  "Stonewall  Jackson"  was 
killed  that  night.  During  the  hard  fight  that  day  a  shell 
struck  the  Chancellor  house,  and  stunned  General  Hooker, 
who  was  leaning  against  a  pillar  in  the  doorway. 

On  the  4th  we  remained  near  a  brick  mansion  all  night 
and  the  next  day,  and  felt  quite  refreshed  in  the  morning 
after  a  good  night's  sleep.  Our  horses  were  also  unhitched 
and  had  a  good  rest.  I  went  among  the  prisoners  that  were 
held  not  far  from  our  battery,  and  gave  them  all  the  coffee 
and  rations  I  had.  There  was  little  or  no  fighting  up  at  the 
front  that  day,  and  although  our  army  was  defeated  we 
still  held  our  ground.  It  wras  reported  that  Sedgwick,  at 
Fredericksburg  and  Banks's  Ford,  was  fighting  against 
great  odds,  as  the  rebels  had  gone  from  our  front  against 
him.  The  situation  looked  to  me  to  be  very  grave,  as  our 
army,  although  superior  in  numbers,  had  been  defeated. 
12 


178  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [May, 

On  the  5th  of  May,  after  having  had  a  good  night's  rest, 
the  battery  was  in  good  condition.  We  had  never  been  so 
fortunate  before  as  to  be  taken  from  the  front  and  put  in 
reserve.  Orders  came  for  our  battery,  with  Thomas's  and 
Pettit's,  to  recross  the  river,  which  we  did,  taking  up  a  com 
manding  position  on  the  heights.  Firing  had  been  heard 
since  daylight  on  our  left,  which  we  surmised  must  have 
come  from  the  direction  of  Sedgwick's  forces.  We  thought 
if  he  could  hold  out  and  get  across  the  river,  he  would  be 
very  fortunate  indeed,  as  the  whole  rebel  army  had  concen 
trated  its  forces  against  him,  and  he  was  fighting  his  corps 
without  any  assistance  from  the  other  corps  of  the  army. 

Our  troops  crossed  the  river  on  the  night  of  May  6th,  the 
rear  guard  crossing  about  eight  o'clock  the  next  morning. 
We  had  forty-eight  guns  in  position  covering  the  retreat. 
About  nine  o'clock  the  engineers  took  up  the  pontoons. 
Soon  afterwards  a  number  of  stragglers  came  down  to  the 
bank  to  cross  over  the  river,  and  some  of  them  did  cross 
over  in  boats,  but  there  was  a  number  of  them  who  deliber 
ately  went  back  and  gave  themselves  up  to  the  enemy. 
Colonel  Morgan,  who  stood  near  our  battery,  gave  us  or 
ders  to  fire  upon  the  stragglers,  which  orders  were  well 
pi  easing  to  our  men  and  were  obeyed  with  alacrity.  There 
was  a  rebel  battery  that  opened  on  Thomas's  battery  which 
killed  two  and  wounded  four  men,  but  Thomas  succeeded 
in  blowing  up  one  of  their  caissons,  which  caused 
them  to  retire,  and  the  fighting  from  that  direction  ceased. 
The  pontoon  train  got  underway  about  three  o'clock  and 
the  artillery  about  an  hour  later.  The  road  was  nearly  im 
passable,  as  it  had  rained  at  intervals  through  the  day,  and 
in  the  early  evening  it  set  in  hard.  The  darkness  caused 
us  a  great  deal  of  trouble,  and  we  were  not  able  to  see  the 
road,  and  some  of  the  guns  would  get  stuck  in  the  mud 
quite  often  during  the  first  part  of  the  evening.  We  were 
finally  compelled  to  stay  in  the  woods  until  daylight,  for 
it  was  almost  an  impossibility  to  travel  under  such  unfavor 
able  conditions. 


FALMOUTH  179 


CHAPTER  XI 

BACK  AT  FALMOUTH. 

ABOUT  eight  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  May  7th  onr 
battery  resinned  the  march,  and,  after  a  hard  pull 
for  onr  horses,  we  arrived  in  onr  old  camp  not  far 
from  eleven  o'clock.  We  were  very  busy  the  rest  of  that 
day  cleaning  up  the  camp  and  stables.  The  loss  of  the 
Second  Corps  in  that  expedition  was  1,923.  Of  this  num 
ber  the  First  Division,  under  Hancock,  lost  1,122. 

On  the  8th  the  weather  was  excellent,  and  our  cam])  be 
gan  to  take  on  its  accustomed  aspect.  The  Sixth  Corps, 
under  General  Sedgwick,  came  in  through  the  day  from 
Banks's  Ford.  They  had  suffered  heavy  loss.  T  went  down 
to  see  the  Second  Rhode  Island  as  they  passed,  and  they 
were  also  heavy  losers.  About  five  o'clock  our  battery  was 
ordered  to  the  Lacey  house,  opposite  Fredericksburg,  ar 
riving  there  a  little  after  dark,  and  going  into  park  close 
to  the  Thirty-fourth  New  York  regiment.  Batteries  B 
and  (T,  First  Rhode  Island  Light  Artillery,  were  in  the  en 
gagement  across  the  river,  Battery  G  losing  one  officer  and 
four  privates,  besides  having  a  number  wounded.  Battery 
B  met  with  no  loss. 

On  the  9th  we  moved  our  guns  into  a  breastwork  which 
had  been  occupied  by  a  German  battery  of  New  York.  The 
Eighty-fourth  New  York  regiment  left  us,  and  our  division 
took  their  place.  We  were  near  the  railroad  bridge,  the 
pickets  were  again  chafing  each  other  across  the  river,  and 
they  reported  that  night  that  General  Stonewall  Jackson 
had  died  from  wounds  received  on  the  3d. 

Sunday,  the  l()th,  was  another  fine  day,  and  trees  and 
shrubs  were  in  full  bloom.  The  boys  began  to  brighten 


180  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [May, 

up  after  their  trip  up  the  river,  and  it  looked  like  a  holiday. 
Over  in  Fredericksburg  the  church  bells  were  ringing,  and 
the  streets  were  well  filled  Avith  people,  and  singing  could 
be  heard  in  the  churches.  The  residents  of  that  place 
seemed  to  endure  with  wonderful  fortitude  the  excitement 
and  hardships  of  war.  I  went  down  and  talked  to  the 
pickets  a  little  while,  and  made  arrangements  with  them 
to  swim  out  and  trade  with  them  as  soon  as  it  became 
dark.  A  balloon  was  sent  up  near  Hooker's  headquarters 
to  reconnoiter  the  enemy's  position. 

On  the  llth  the  weather  was  so  fine  and  warm  that  some 
of  the  soldiers  went  in  bathing.  We  could  see  the  rebels 
fishing  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  and  some  of  them  ap 
peared  to  have  made  a  good  catch.  Bands  played  in  the 
streets  that  day  as  if  they  were  on  parade,  and  the  rebels 
seemed  very  jubilant  over  their  victory,  and  asked  our  pick 
ets  all  manner  of  questions  and  generally  received  some 
very  sharp  replies  from  our  soldiers. 

The  12th  was  another  fine  day  and  very  warm,  so  Mowry 
and  I  went  in  bathing.  We  swam  out  to  some  sunken 
barges  and  traded  with  the  rebels  for  tobacco,  which  was 
all  they  had  except  a  Richmond  paper.  They  offered  any 
amount  of  money  to  us  if  Ave  would  get  them  some  shoes, 
which  Ave  promised  to  do  and  to  go  over  and  visit  them  in 
their  camp.  The  rebels  Ave  traded  Avith  Avere  Mississip- 
pians. 

The  13th  Avas  another  fine  day.  There  Avas  a  special  or 
der  read  that  day  to  the  effect  that  the  artillery  of  the  army 
had  been  reorganized.  The  artillery  of  the  Second  Corps 
formed  a  brigade  consisting  of  Batteries  A  and  B,  First 
Rhode  Island  Light  Artillery;  Battery  A,  Fourth  United 
States,  under  Capt.  John  G.  Hazard;  Battery  I,  First 
United  States  Artillery ;  and  Battery  G,  of  the  First  Rhode 
Island  Light  Artillery,  Avith  Captain  Adams;  Battery  G, 
First  New  York  Artillery;  Battery  B,  First  New  York  Ar 
tillery,  C. \ptain  Pettit,  and  Battery  C,  Fourth  United 


1863.]  FALMOUTH  181 

States  Artillery,  went  into  the  reserve.  General  Hooker 
was  making  a  change  in  the  personnel  of  the  army. 

On  the  14th  the  men  of  the  battery  began  to  receive  fur 
loughs  again,  and  Corporal  Greene  and  Private  Rider  left 
for  home  on  a  ten  days'  leave.  It  looked  as  if  we  were  to 
stay  here  some  time,  as  a  one-hundred  pound  Parrott  gun 
arrived  and  was  put  in  position  on  our  left,  near  the  thirty- 
pounder  of  the  Fourteenth  Connecticut  Heavy  Artillery. 

On  the  15th,  after  I  was  relieved  from  guard,  I  went  to 
the  river,  but  the  pickets  would  not  let  me  pass  the  lines, 
as  new  orders  had  been  issued  forbidding  any  trading  with 
the  "Johnnies."  However,  Mowry  went  over  to  the  rebel 
camp  and  into  the  city.  When  he  came  back  there  was  a 
neAV  officer  of  the  day,  and  he  (Mowry)  was  arrested,  but 
the  men  got  him  clear.  A  number  of  men  came  to  us  from 
Battery  D.  being  attached  to  our  battery  for  a  time,  as  that 
battery  then  formed  a  part  of  the  reserve.  We  also  had 
several  attached  men  from  infantry  regiments  assigned  to 
us. 

The  16th  was  a  fine  day,  and  the  men  of  the  battery 
seemed  to  be  enjoying  themselves.  The  sun  was  so  hot  that 
the  men  built  shade  houses  of  boughs,  but  the  officers  had 
tent  flies  to  protect  themselves  from  the  fierce  rays.  The 
chief  of  artillery  (Hazard)  being  absent,  our  captain,  in 
the  interim,  commanded  the  artillery  brigade  in  compliance 
with  an  order  issued  from  army  headquarters. 

The  17th  was  another  fine  day,  and  the  streets  of  Fred- 
ericksburg  appeared  to  be  thronged  with  people.  The  bal 
loon  was  sent  up  again  from  headquarters  that  day.  Col 
onel  Morgan,  who  had  been  in  command  of  the  artillery 
brigade  of  our  corps  since  its  formation,  turned  it  over  to 
Captain  William  A.  Arnold  of  our  battery. 

On  the  20th  Captain  Arnold  inspected  the  several  bat 
teries  of  the  brigade. 

On  the  24th  the  news  was  read  of  Grant's  victory  on  the 
Big  Black  River,  Mississippi. 


182  BATTERY    A,    FIRST   R.    I.    LIGHT   ARTILLERY     [June, 

The  25th  was  another  bright  day,  with  plenty  of  greens 
and  pork  for  dinner.  Capt.  John  G.  Hazard  returned  to 
assume  command  of  the  artillery  brigade  of  the  Second 
Corps,  and  Captain  Arnold  came  back  to  the  battery. 
Corporal  Greene  and  Private  Rider  returned  from  their 
furloughs  that  day. 

On  the  30th  the  paymaster  came  and  paid  us  twenty-six 
good  solid  dollars  for  two  months'  work. 

About  three  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  31st  we  were 
ordered  to  hitch  up  in  double-quick  time,  Battery  A,  Fourth 
United  States  Artillery,  going  into  position,  the  Fourth 
New  York  Regiment  forming  in  line  to  our  support.  Bat 
tery  B,  First  Rhode  Island,  sent  one  section  to  the  ford  at 
Falrnouth.  It  looked  as  if  there  might  be  a  brush  with  the 
enemy,  but  it  turned  out  to  be  simply  a  movement  to  en 
force  an  order  issued  by  General  Hancock  prohibiting  the 
rebels  from  fishing  in  the  river.  This  order  the  enenw  did 
not  seem  at  first  to  be  inclined  to  pay  much  attention  to; 
but  observing  that  Hancock  was  a  man  of  his  word  and  that 
he  would  order  his  guns  to  be  opened  upon  them  if  they  did 
not  desist,  they  concluded  that  "discretion  was  the  better 
part  of  valor"  and  retired. 

In  the  forenoon  of  June  2d  we  hitched  up  and  went  on 
division  drill  under  General  Gibbon.  General  Hancock 
was  present.  He  Avas  a  fine  looking  man  and  had  a  com 
manding  way  about  him,  and  was  very  gentlemanly  withal. 

On  the  5th  Ave  started  and  Avent  into  camp  near  General 
Hooker's  headquarters.  The  Sixth  Corps  crossed  the  river 
on  pontoon  bridges  beloAV  the  city  at  Franklin's  old  cross 
ing,  and  took  the  rifle-pits,  and  captured  three  hundred 
prisoners.  They  Avorked  tOAvards  the  city,  and,  wheii  they 
came  to  Avhat  Avas  called  the  Lacey  Gas  Works,  they  had 
quite  a  sharp  fight  with  the  enemy.  Our  battery  opened 
on  Fredericksburg  about  five  that  evening,  and  continued 
fighting  until  after  dark,  Avhen  Ave  could  see  very  plainly 
the  flash  of  the  rebel  guns.  It  looked  as  if  Ave  were  to  at 
tack  the  city  again. 


1863.]  FALMOUTH  183 

On  the  (itli  wagons  were  sent  to  Acquia  Creek  for  the 
day's  extra  rations.  There  was  considerable  artillery 
firing  throughout  the  day  between  Sedgwick's  corps  and 
the  enemy.  This  Avas  the  second  anniversary  of  onr  bat 
tery,  as  two  years  before  we  were  sworn  in  for  three  years  if 
not  sooner  discharged. 

The  9th  found  ns  conjecturing  what  we  were  to  do  next. 
We  changed  onr  camp  again  that  day,  but  only  for  a  short 
distance.  We  heard  that  no  more  furloughs  were  to  be 
granted,  and  that  all  men  on  leave  of  absence  must  report 
immediately  to  their  commands.  It  was  rumored  that  a 
big  battle  between  Pleasanton's  cavalry  and  Stewart's  took 
place  at  Heaver  Ford ;  also  that  Fitzhugh  Lee  and  a  number 
of  troops  were  taken  prisoners. 

On  the  10th  General  Couch  resigned  and  left  the  Second 
Corps,  owing,  it  was  said,  to  the  fact  that  he  would  not 
serve  under  General  Hooker.  General  Couch's  retirement 
Avas  greatly  regretted  by  the  Second  Corps,  as  he  Avas  an 
able  and  efficient  commander,  but  General  Hancock,  who 
succeeded  him,  was  well  fitted  for  the  position. 

On  the  llth  it  was  reported  that  the  First,  Third  and 
Eleventh  corps  were  on  the  move,  and  that  Lee  had  left  our 
front  and  gone  north  by  the  mountain  passes. 

On  the  12th  orders  were  received  from  headquarters  that 
all  citizens  who  did  not  have  official  business  in  the  army, 
and  all  ladies  who  were  at  that  time  in  the  different  camps, 
must  depart  at  once.  The  rebel  batteries  opened  on  our 
balloon  up  at  Banks's  Ford  that  day.  Our  battery  lost 
five  detached  men,  who  belonged  to  the  Twenty-fourth  New 
Jersey  regiment,  whose  term  of  service  had  expired,  they 
being  nine  months'  men. 

On  the  13th  we  were  confident  that  our  army  was  to 
move,  as  all  extra  baggage  and  supplies  were  ordered  to 
Acquia  Creek.  The  army  commenced  moving  towards  War 
renton.  The  Second  and  Sixth  corps  were  the  only  troops 
that  remained  behind.  We  left  camp  in  a  heavy  rain,  and 
got  into  position  about  midnight  near  the  Lacey  house. 


184  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [June, 

On  the  morning  of  the  14th  we  were  routed  out  early. 
The  rebels  on  the  other  side  of  the  river  were  endeavoring 
to  establish  a  good  position  for  themselves,  and  marched 
and  countermarched  down  near  the  river.  They  kept  up 
quite  a  steady  fire  on  our  pickets,  and  at  intervals  on  our 
redoubts.  About  sunset  we  could  see  them  running  their 
guns  out  from  their  redoubts  by  hand,  and  marching  away 
in  the  direction  of  Chancellorsville.  We  received  orders  to 
get  away  as  soon  as  it  was  possible  after  dark,  but  we  did 
not  move  until  about  nine  o'clock.  The  guns  were  limbered 
up  very  quietly,  and  we  started  on  the  telegraph  road,  cross 
ing  the  railroad  at  Stoneman's  Switch,  and,  after  marching 
all  night,  arrived  at  Stafford  Court  House  about  seven  the 
next  morning  and  found  it  burning,  perhaps  carelessly  set 
on  fire,  but  more  likely  by  intention. 


1863.]  DUMFRIES  185 


CHAPTER  XII 

FROM  FAL.MOUTH  TO  GETTYSBURG. 

IT  was  terribly  hot  on  the  morning  of  the  loth  of  June, 
and,  after  feeding  my  horses  and  myself,  I  lay  down 
and  tried  to  go  to  sleep,  but  I  was  soon  disturbed  and 
ordered  to  hitch  up.  About  eleven  o'clock  we  started  on 
the  inarch  again.  The  Sixth  Corps  were  in  line  of  battle 
when  we  reached  Stafford  Court  House,  and  as  they  were 
in  the  advance,  and  our  corps  in  the  rear,  it  was  hard 
to  tell  on  which  side  of  us  the  rebels  were  supposed  to  be. 
They  sent  the  balloon  up  from  the  courthouse,  while 
we  were  there,  probably  to  discover  Avhere  the  rebels  were 
located.  We  reached  Acquia  Creek  at  nearly  three  o'clock, 
and  put  our  guns  into  position.  It  looked  as  if  we  were 
going  to  remain  there  all  night.  The  heat  was  intense, 
and  our  men  had  fallen  out  by  the  hundreds,  and  it  was 
even  reported  that  a  number  of  deaths  had  been  caused  by 
sunstroke.  Artillery  firing  had  been  heard  all  day  in  the 
direction  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  and  it  seemed  strange  that  the 
Second  Corps  should  be  going  away  from  the  direction 
whence  the  firing  came. 

On  the  16th  we  were  hustled  out  about  2.30  A.  M.,  and, 
after  feeding  our  horses  and  getting  something  to  eat  our 
selves,  we  hitched  up,  and  by  3.30  we  started.  Heavy  can 
nonading  was  heard  in  the  direction  of  the  Blue  Ridge.  We 
marched  to  the  town  of  Dumfries.  We  arrived  there  about 
nine  o'clock,  and  halted  near  the  town  until  about  noon.  We 
fed  and  watered  our  horses;  also,  had  a  good  dinner,  and 
drew  three  days'  rations.  While  it  did  not  seem  as  warm 
as  the  day  before,  yet  a  great  many  of  our  men  fell  out  of 


186 


BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [June,. 


the  ranks  overcome  by  the  heat.  A  few  more  such  days 
would  have  stayed  the  progress  of  the  whole  army.  It  was 
an  up  and  down-hill  road,  and  the  dust  was  suffocating. 

Our  right  section,  under  Lieutenant  Hunt,  had  been  on 
the  rear  guard  all  day.  We  crossed  AYolf  Run  Shoals 
about  seven  o'clock  and  bivouacked  for  the  night. 

On  the  17th  we  did  not  start  very  early,  and  the  men  took 
advantage  of  the  delay  and  had  a  good  swim  in  the  creek. 
We  started  at  about  nine  o'clock  and  marched  as  far  as 
Sangster's  Station  on  the  Alexandria  Railroad,  and  on  the 
east  of  the  old  Bull  Run  battlefield,  and  there  formed  in 
line  of  battle.  The  roads  from  Manassas  to  Warrenton 
were  filled  with  army  trains. 

On  the  18th  we  remained  in  line  of  battle  all  day  long 
and  both  men  and  horses  were  tired  enough  to  take  ad 
vantage  vof  the  rest  afforded  us.  A  refreshing  shower  made 
us  all  feel  comfortable. 

On  the  19th  we  hitched  up,  marched  to  Centreville,  ar 
riving  there  about  six,  and  went  into  position  in  one  of  the 
redoubts.  We  found  a  brigade  of  New  York  troops  under 
command  of  Gen.  Alexander  Hays,  who  distinguished  him 
self  on  the  Peninsula  with  the  Sixty-third  Pennsylvania 
regiment.  The  brigade  consisted  of  the  Thirty-ninth,  One 
Hundred  and  Eleventh,  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-fifth,  and 
One  Hundred  and  TwTenty-sixth  New  York  regiments. 

On  the  20th  we  remained  in  Centreville  until  about  one 
o'clock,  when  we  marched  on  to  the  Warrenton  pike,  over 
Cub  Run,  over  Bull  Run  at  Stone  Bridge,  and  over  our  old 
battlefield  of  18G1  where  we  saw  one  of  the  saddest  sights 
of  our  lives.  Skeletons  of  soldiers  were  lying  around  every 
where,  just  where  they  had  fallen  or  crept.  It  seemed  to 
me  as  if  they  might  have  been  buried.  The  New  York  brig 
ade,  under  General  Hays,  had  joined  our  corps  there  and 
was  attached  to  the  Third  Division.  We  marched  as  far 
as  Gainesville,  where  we  encamped  with  the  First  and 
Third  Divisions.  That  night  it  was  reported  that  the  Sec 
ond  Division  had  gone  to  Thoroughfare  Gap. 


1863.]  GAINESVILLE  187 

On  the  21st  artillery  firing'  was  heard  in  the  direction  of 
Ashby's  Gap,  and  a  fight  was  reported  between  Pleasanton's 
and  Stuart's  cavalry.  The  cavalry,  on  picket  at  Gaines 
ville,  came  flying  in  that  afternoon,  and  the  infantry  with 
onr  right  section  made  preparations  to  support  it.  How 
ever,  it  proved  to  be  only  a  slight  raid  of  the  enemy. 
Along  in  the  evening  a  division  of  cavalry  came  in  under 
General  Stahl  with  four  pieces  of  artillery  and  a  small 
howitzer  which  had  been  taken  from  Mosby  near  Fairfax 
Court  House  two  weeks  before.  They  were  on  their  way  to 
Warrenton.  Some  infantrymen  of  onr  corps  picked  np  a 
shell  or  case  shot  and  brought  it  to  onr  battery  to  learn 
about  it.  John  Tyng  was  the  man  who  never  tired  in  show 
ing  to  anyone  everything  appertaining  to  a  battery  and  its 
equipments.  He  took  the  shell  in  his  hand  to  explain  its 
peculiarities,  and  told  them  it  was  perfectly  safe  as  there 
was  no  percussion  about  it,  and  that  it  was  simply  a  Koman 
fuzee  which  was  cut  to  any  distance  it  was  to  be  thrown. 
To  illustrate  it  he  took  it  over  to  the  forge,  and,  taking  the 
sledge  hammer,  began  to  break  it.  Being  near  the  rail 
road  there  happened  to  be  an  old  frog  used  on  a  switch 
which  was  handy  to  lay  the  shell  in.  Tt  did  not  break  as 
easily  as  expected,  and  a  number  of  men  took  a  turn  in  try 
ing  to  break  it.  At  length  it  was  beginning  to  open,  and, 
after  looking  it  over,  John  said  that  about  two  more  drills 
would  do  the  work.  A  big  fellow  from  the  First  Minnesota 
took  the  sledge  and  gave  it  a  tremendous  swing,  and  then 
followed  one  of  the  biggest  surprises  ever  recorded.  They 
were  directly  under  a  large  oak  tree;  the  shell  exploded  and 
threw  the  hammer  one  hundred  feet,  more  or  less,  up 
through  the  tree,  and  fragments  of  the  shell  cut  good  sized 
limbs  from  it,  while  there  were  about  fifty  men  standing  in 
that  vicinity  who  saw  it  break  into  pieces.  No  one  was 
injured,  however,  although  John  Tyng  had  considerable 
powder  blown  into  his  face.  Lieutenant  Hunt  had  the 
horses  in  line  going  to  water,  and.  while  quite  a  number  of 


188  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLKRY     [June, 

pieces  of  the  shell  fell  all  around,  yet  no  damage  resulted. 
This  incident  caused  a  great  deal  of  excitement,  and  some 
of  our  troops  fell  into  line  thinking  the  enemy,  with,  a  bat 
tery,  were  about  to  open  upon  us.  There  was  no  way  to 
account  for  its  not  killing  or  wounding  a  number  of  our 
men  only  that  the  railroad  frog  must  have  been  just  deep 
enough  to  act  as  a  mortar  and  thus  throw  the  pieces 
straight  up  in  the  air.  Tyng  had  always  been  a  notorious 
fellow  in  regard  to  joking,  and  ever  after  that  occurrence 
the  boys  were  fond  of  saying :  "John,  we  would  like  you  to 
explain  how  this  shell  is  made." 

On  the  22d  the  weather  was  fine,  and  the  men  and  horses 
had  a  good  rest.  An  order  was  read  in  line  that  day  to  the 
effect  that  Pleasanton's  cavalry,  supported  by  a  division  of 
the  Fifth  Corps,  had  defeated  General  Stuart's  cavalry, 
capturing  two  guns,  a  number  of  prisoners,  and  a  quantity 
of  small  arms  at  Ashby's  Gap. 

On  the  23d  the  weather  continued  fine  and  quite  hot. 
Stahl's  cavalry  came  back  that  day  from  Warrenton,  and 
reported  no  enemy  in  force  there. 

On  the  24th  I  was  sent  with  the  wagons  for  forage  and 
rations.  Every  teamster  in  that  part  of  the  army  appeared 
to  be  very  much  excited.  The  rebel  cavalry  had  made  a 
dash  into  our  lines  below  and  cut  the  wires  and  robbed  a 
wagon  or  two.  These  men  on  the  wagon  trains  were  the 
worst  lot  I  ever  saw.  Even  the  mules  seemed  to  know  that 
there  was  trouble  on  foot,  and  appeared  to  be  as  excited 
as  their  drivers.  After  waiting  a  long  while  we  at  last  suc 
ceeded  in  getting  our  load.  The  clerks  were  apparently  as 
thoroughly  frightened  as  the  drivers,  and,  by  their  actions, 
expected  every  moment  to  be  captured.  The  trouble  proved 
to  be  down  near  Fairfax  Station.  The  enemy  made  a  dash 
in  and  cut  a  few  telegraph  wires. 

On  the  25th  we  received  orders  to  pack,  and  about  noon 
we  started,  crossed  Bull  Run,  taking  the  Gum  Spring  road 
near  Sudley's  Church,  over  nearly  the  same  route  we  went 


1863.]  SUGAR    LOAF    MOUNTAIN  189 

to  the  first  Bull  Run  battlefield;  and,  after  a  hot  and  dusty 
inarch  of  about  eighteen  miles  went  into  park  for  the  night 
near  Gum  Spring. 

On  the  26th  we  had  a  fine  shower  which  greatly  assisted 
in  keeping  down  the  dust.  After  a  rest  at  Gum  Spring  we 
left  at  about  ten  o'clock,  and,  with  an  easy  march,  reached 
the  Potomac  River,  near  Edwards  Ferry  about  eight  o'clock 
in  the  evening,  and  went  into  park  on  the  Virginia  side, 
but  were  soon  ordered  to  cross  the  river  as  the  bridges  were 
to  be  taken  aAvay.  There  were  two  pontoons,  over  which 
the  troops  were  continually  crossing.  As  we  had  lost  our 
position  in  line  by  going  into  park  we  had  to  Avait  until 
there  came  a  break  in  it,  and  we  did  not  start  again  until 
two  o'clock  A.  M.;  then,  after  crossing,  we  marched  about 
a  mile  from  the  river  and  went  into  park.  We  were 
then  assigned  to  the  Third  Division  under  Gen.  Alex 
ander  Hays,  who  joined  us  at  Centreville  with  the  New 
York  brigade,  and  took  command  of  our  Third  Division. 
He  had  the  reputation  of  being  a  great  fighter. 

On  the  27th,  after  remaining  near  the  ferry  until  two 
p.  M.,  we  marched  by  way  of  Poolesville;  and,  about  nine 
o'clock,  passed  through  Barnesville.  At  ten  p.  M.  AVC  Avent 
into  park  at  the  foot  of  Sugar  Loaf  Mountain.  The  trip 
was  a  very  interesting  one  to  about  all  the  men  of  the  bat 
tery,  as  Ave  passed  through  so  many  familiar  places,  the 
scenes  of  our  first  campaign  as  soldiers. 

On  the  28th  the  Aveather  Avas  fine.  The  change  in  the 
country  after  crossing  the  riATer  Avas  so  much  improved  that 
AVC  could  hardly  realize  that  it  Avas  the  same  Ave  had  knoAvn 
in  the  past,  the  people  appeared  so  different.  Everything 
Avas  apparently  in  a  flourishing  condition,  and  the  people 
seemingly  could  not  do  enough  for  us.  We  found  the  cher 
ries  ripe  and  plentiful,  but  General  Hays  gave  strict  orders 
against  foraging,  as  AVC  Avere  in  the  midst  of  a  loyal  people. 
We  passed  through  Urbana  about  six  o'clock,  and  then 
continued  on  to  Monocacy  Junction,  some  five  miles  from 


190  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R,    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [June, 

Frederick  City,  and  went  into  position  on  a  hill  for  the 
night.  It  was  reported  that  night  that  the  enemy  were  at 
Carlisle,  Penn.,  and  marching  either  on  Harrisburg  or 
Baltimore. 

The  29th  was  a  fine  morning.  We  had  plenty  of  time  to 
get  breakfast,  and,  about  eight  o'clock,  marched  across  Mon- 
ocacy  River  to  Frederick  City,  crossing  the  Stone  Bridge, 
and  took  the  Baltimore  road  until  we  came  to  the  Taney- 
town  road,  which  ran  through  Mount  Pleasant,  Liberty, 
Johnsville,  Union  Bridge,  and  Fniontown,  and  camped  for 
the  night  in  the  latter  place.  Xo  one  was  sorry  for  the  rest, 
as  the  march  had  been  the  longest  we  had  ever  made,  and  it 
was  reported  that  we  had  covered  a  distance  of  from  thirty- 
five  to  forty-one  miles  after  leaving  Monocacy  Junction. 
The  weather  was  exceedingly  warm,  but  plenty  of  good 
water  and  an  abundance  of  fruit  were  very  refreshing 
to  us.  The  roads  were  hilly,  but  were  much  better  than 
those  in  Virginia.  General  Hays  was  kept  very  busy  look 
ing  after  the  stragglers  and  foragers.  We  learned  that  our 
army  had  again  changed  commanders  and  that  General 
Meade  had  superseded  General  Hooker. 

On  that  day,  after  scouring  the  passes  of  South  Mountain 
and  halting  for  the  night  at  Fountaindale,  Buford  per 
ceived  the  camp-fires  of  a  large  body  of  troops  stretching 
across  his  front,  lighting  up  the  road  leading  to  Gettys 
burg.  Evidently  they  had  just  crossed  South  Mountain 
from  the  valley.  This  sight  was  to  Buford  a  ray  of  light 
in  a  dark  place.  No  friendly  force  could  be  there.  He  de 
termined  to  know  who  they  were  without  much  loss  of  time. 
Before  daybreak  he  was  at  the  head  of  his  troops  on  the 
road,  and  soon  fell  in  with  a  strong  force  of  rebel  infantry 
moving  toward  Gettysburg  on  the  Fair-field  (Hagerstown) 
road.  After  exchanging  a  few  shots  with  them  and  learn 
ing  what  he  wanted  to  know,  he  hastened  back  to  Reynolds, 
at  Emmitsburg,  with  the  news.  Reynolds  immediately  sent 
JLim  back  to  Gettysburg,  in  order,  if  possible,  to  head  off  the 


1868.]  THE    ENEMY    DISCOVERED    BY    BU.FOED  191 

enemy  before  they  should  reach  that  place,  toward  which 
they  were  evidently  marching,  and  a  courier  was  dispatched 
to  headquarters.  This  was  the  first  trustworthy  intelli 
gence  of  Lee's  movement  to  the  east  that  Meade  had  re 
ceived.  The  question  now  was  could  Lee  be  massing  on  his 
left?  The  First  Corps,  which  was  also  on  the  march  for 
Gettysburg,  rested  for  the  night  within  about  five  miles  of 
the  town.  The  Eleventh  Corps  lay  at  Emmitsburg,  the 
Third  at  Taneytown.  The  object  which  General  Meade  had 
hoped  to  attain  was  the  turning  back  of  Lee.  This  was 
the  first  great  object,  and  this  had  now  been  done;  and, 
to  avoid  being  struck  from  behind.  Lee  had  been  forced  to 
halt,  face  about,  and  look  for  a  place  to  fight  in.  Meade's 
plan  was  to  take  his  position  along  Pipe  Creek,  when  the 
enemy  was  in  motion  southward,  and  await  an  attack  there, 
and  he  went  so  far  as  to  throw  up  some  earthworks.  But 
he  no  longer  had  the  disposing  of  events;  in  order  to  gain 
this  position  now,  Reynolds  would  have  to  fall  back  one  or 
two  marches,  and  Meade  had  no  knowledge  of  Lee's  coming 
half  way  to  meet  him,  or  of  that  strange  confusion  of  ideas, 
—Lee  had  promised  his  generals  not  to  fight  a  pitched  bat 
tle  except  on  ground  of  his  owTn  choosing,  certainly  not  on 
ground  his  adversary  had  chosen  for  him,  and  least  of  all 
where  defeat  would  carry  down  with  it  the  cause  of  the 
Southern  Confederacy.  Reynolds,  therefore,  held  the  des 
tinies  of  both  armies  in  his  keeping  on  that  memorable  last 
night  of  June,  lie  now  knew  that  any  further  advance  on 
his  part  would  probably  bring  on  a  combat.  There  was 
still  time  to  fall  back  on  the  main  army  to  avoid  an  engage 
ment,  but  Reynolds  was  not  that  kind  of  a  general.  He 
was  the  man  of  all  others  to  whom  the  whole  army  had 
looked  in  the  event  of  Hooker's  incapacity  from  any  cause, 
as  well  as  the  first  whom  the  president  had  designed  to  re 
place  him.  He  knew  that  Meade  would  support  him  to  the 
last  man  and  the  last  cartridge.  He  fall  back !  There  was 
no  such  word  in  Revnolds's  vocabulary.  His  order  was 


192  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    T.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [June, 

"Forward !"  So  history  has  indissolubly  linked  together 
the  names  of  Reynolds  and  Gettysburg;,  for,  had  lie  decided 
differently,  there  would  have  been  no  battle  of  Gettysburg. 
This  shows  how  little  foundation  exists  for  the  statement 
of  the  Comte  de  Paris  and  others  that  Hooker's  strategy 
compelled  Lee  to  cross  the  mountains,  when  it  is  clear  that 
he  knew  nothing  whatever  of  Hooker's  intentions.  This  is 
concurred  in  by  both  Lee  and  Longstreet.  Moreover, 
Hooker  had  scarcely  put  his  startagem  into  effect  when  he 
was  relieved.  Upon  taking  command  Meade  is  said  to  have 
expressed  himself  as  "shocked"  at  the  scattered  condition 
of  the  army. 

About  one  o'clock  of  June  30th,  squadron  after  squadron 
of  dust-begrimed  men  and  horses  of  Buford's  cavalry  came 
pouring  into  Gettysburg,  and  took  position  on  the  heights 
that  surround  it,  spreading  themselves  out  over  all  the 
roads  leading  into  it  from  the  west  and  north.  These  men 
formed  the  vanguard  of  the  Union  army,  which  Avas  pursu 
ing  Lee  by  forced  marches  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  him 
to  battle.  These  were  Buford's  troopers  that  Reynolds  had 
sent  forward  to  meet  Lee.  Forewarned  that  he  must  look 
for  the  enemy  to  make  his  appearance  on  the  Chamber sburg 
and  Carlisle  roads,  Buford  was  keeping  a  good  lookout  in 
both  directions.  To  that  end  he  had  taken  position  on  a 
commanding  ridge  over  which  the  roads  passed,  first  to 
Seminary  Ridge,  and  so  back  into  Gettysburg.  Dismount 
ing  his  troopers  he  formed  them  across  the  two  roads  in 
skirmish  line,  threw  out  his  vedettes,  and  planted  his  artil 
lery  with  the  valley  of  Willoughby  Run  before  him,  the 
Seminary  Ridge  and  Gettysburg  behind  him,  and  the  First 
Corps  five  miles  away  toward  Emmitsburg.  Buford's  cav 
alry  awaited  the  morrow,  conscious  that  if  Gettysburg  was 
to  be  defended  it  must  be  from  these  heights.  There  could 
have  been  no  prettier  spot  chosen  than  the  valley  of  Wil 
loughby  Run,  with  its  tall  woods  and  shrubbery,  its  clear, 
flowing  water  and  green  banks,  so  soon  to  be  the  scene  of 


LiEUT.-CoL.  WILLIAM  A.  ARNOLD. 

Commissioned    First    Lieutenant   Battery  E ;    promoted  Captain   Battery  A 
Brevet  Major  and  Lieutenant-Colonel. 


1863.]     THE  ENEMY  DISCOVERED  BY  BUFOED        193 

that  bloody  strife,  torn  and  defaced  by  shot  and  shell  and 
the  loud  cries  of  the  combatants.  The  night  passed  quietly, 
yet  some  thirty  thousand  Confederates  of  all  arms  were  ly 
ing  within  a  radius  of  eight  miles  of  Gettysburg.  They 
had  discovered  the  presence  of  Buford's  men,  and  were 
waiting  for  morning  when  they  would  brush  them  away. 
Very  early  in  the  morning  of  July  1st,  Hill's  corps  ad 
vanced  on  the  Chambersburg  pike  toward  Gettysburg. 
Heth's  division,  with  Davis's,  Archer's  and  Brocken- 
brough's  brigades,  joined  Pettigrew's  at  Marsh  Creek.  Here 
the  first  gun  of  the  battle  was  fired.  Buford's  vedettes,  a 
detachment  of  the  Eighth  Illinois,  opened  fire  on  the  Con 
federates  moving  forward  to  cross  the  stream.  Heth's  di 
vision  advanced  quickly,  and  the  Union  pickets  were  forced 
to  retire.  General  Buford  at  once  dismounted  his  cavalry 
and  posted  them  in  the  most  advantageous  manner  along 
the  bank  of  Willoughby  Run.  Gamble's  brigade,  south  of 
the  railroad,  extended  their  left  to  the  Hagerstown  road. 
Devens's  brigade,  north,  extended  their  right  to  Mummas- 
burg  road.  Calif's  Second  United  States  Battery  was 
placed  across  the  pike  on  McPherson's  Ridge  in  support. 
When  the  Confederates  reached  Herr's  Ridge,  General 
Heth  deployed  Davis's  and  Archer's  brigades  north  and 
south  of  the  Chambersburg  pike.  These  two  brigades  were 
supported  by  Marye's  Virginia  battery,  which  opened  upon 
Calif's  horse  artillery.  Pegram's  battalion  was  soon  in  po 
sition  along  Herr's  Ridge,  their  left  resting  at  the  Minuigh 
farm  buildings.  It  was  under  the  cover  of  Marye's  guns 
that  Davis's  and  Archer's  brigades  advanced  to  attack  Bu 
ford's  cavalrymen.  Califs  guns  were  ably  handled,  case 
shot  and  shell  being  fired  at  first,  and  when  the  enemy  was 
within  two  hundred  and  fifty  yards  canister  was  used.  The 
Confederates  were  soon  desperately  engaged  with  Buford's 
cavalry,  who  made  so  determined  a  resistance  that  Heth 
believed  that  his  men  were  fighting  a  strong  force  of  in 
fantry.  Califs  gunners  being  assailed  on  every  side  stood 

13 


194  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY    [June, 

bravely  by  their  pieces,  and  worked  them  with  terrible  ef 
fect.  Buford's  men  fought  with  carbines,  which  were  very 
effective,  and,  when  their  ammunition  was  exhausted  and 
the  enemy  were  pressing  forward  at  all  points,  they  used 
their  Colt's  revolvers  to  best  possible  advantage.  The  cav 
alry  made  a  glorious  fight,  and  only  fell  back  from  the  front 
when  relieved  by  the  infantry  about  nine  o'clock.  This  is 
one  of  the  strange  things  about  the  battle  of  Gettysburg, 
that  Reynolds,  only  five  miles  away,  did  not  get  up  to  Bu- 
ford's  support  before  nine  o'clock.  Yet  this  is  the  time  he 
reached  the  field,  according  to  all  accounts,  and  then  it  was 
a  neck-and-neck  race  between  his  soldiers  and  the  enemy  for 
the  position,  with  the  advantage  on  the  side  of  the  Confed 
erates,  as  the  Union  troops  had  to  get  into  position  under 
a  hot  fire, 

After  an  hour  of  stubborn  fighting  Buford  was  being 
pushed  back  at  every  point.  Considering  the  fact  that  it 
was  cavalry  against  infantry,  and  that  he  had  much  the 
smaller  number,  he  had  made  a  wonderful  fight.  At  this 
time  a  column  of  Union  troops,  which  proved  to  be  the  di 
vision  of  Wadsworth,  was  seen  coming  up  the  Kmmitsburg 
road  at  double-quick,  and  they  arrived  in  the  nick  of  time, 
as  the  enemy's  skirmishers,  supported  by  Archer's  brigade, 
were  even  then  in  the  act  of  fording  the  run  unopposed, 
and,  unless  promptly  stopped,  Avould  soon  be  in  possession 
of  the  first  range  of  heights.  It  was  very  certain  that 
Reynolds  had  determined  to  contest  the  enemy's  possession 
of  Gettysburg  on  this  ridge,  and  was  impatiently  awaiting 
the  arrival  of  his  troops.  Cutler's  brigade  was  the  first  to 
arrive.  Hurrying  this  off  to  the  right  of  the  pike,  where  it 
formed  along  the  crest  of  the  ridge  under  a  shower  of  bul 
lets,  Reynolds  ordered  the  next  as  it  came  up  to  charge  over 
the  ridge  in  its  front,  and  drive  Archer's  men  out  of  a  wood 
that  rose  before  him  crowning  the  crest  and  running  down 
the  opposite  slope.  It  was  done  in  a  brilliant  manner,  each 
regiment  breaking  off  in  turn  from  the  line  of  march  to  join 


1863.]  THE    ENEMY    DISCOVERED    BY    BUFORD  195 

in  the  charge  under  the  eve  of  Reynolds,  who,  heedless  of 
everything  except  the  supreme  importance  of  securing  the 
position,  rode  on  after  the  leading  regiment  into  the  fire 
where  bullets  were  flying  thickest.  There  is  no  use  in  say 
ing  the  enemy  were  surprised,  as  they  thought  they  were 
fighting  cavalry,  and  they  were  driven  ont  of  the  wood  and 
back  across  the  run  with  the  loss  of  one-half  their  brigade, 
including  General  Archer  himself.  At  the  very  moment 
Avlu  n  his  first  effort  was  crowned  with  success.  Reynolds 
fell  dead  with  a  bullet  in  his  brain.  His  horse  carried  him 
a  short  distance  before  he  fell.  His  body  was  taken  to  the 
rear  just  as  General  Archer  was  brought  in  a  prisoner. 
This  was  the  most  unfortunate  thing  that  could  have  hap 
pened  at  this  time.  With  him  fell  the  whole  inspiration  of 
the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  and,  worst  of  all,  with  him  fell 
both  the  directing  mind  and  that  unquestioned  authority 
so  essential  to  bring  the  battle  to  a  successful  issue.  He 
had  been  struck  down  too  suddenly  even  to  transmit  his 
views  to  a  subordinate.  It  was  deplorable.  The  dearly 
bought  success  on  the  left  was  quickly  lost  on  the  right, 
where  Davis's  Confederate  brigade  had  outflanked  Cutler's 
and  driven  him  from  the  field,  compelling  him  to  fall  back 
on  Seminary  Ridge  in  disorder.  After  clearing  this  part 
of  the  line,  Davis  threw  his  men  against  the  ridge  where 
Hall's  Second  Maine  Battery  was  without  support,  and 
was,  at  that  time,  firing  down  the  Chambersburg  Pike.  Be 
fore  the  gunners  were  aware  of  it,  the  enemy  were  among 
them,  with  that  familiar  rebel  yell.  When  attacked  in  this 
way  a  battery  is  at  the  mercy  of  its  assailants.  After  the 
loss  of  a  number  of  men  and  horses  they  managed  to  get 
away  Avith  the  loss  of  one  gun.  General  Doubleday  now 
sent  the  Sixth  Wisconsin,  of  Meredith's  brigade,  to  Cutler's 
relief.  They  charged  across  the  field  from  the  seminary 
against  Davis's  exposed  flank,  re-enforced  by  the  Four 
teenth  and  Ninety-fifth  New  York  regiments,  checking  Da- 
vis's  advance,  liberating  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty- 


196  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R,    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [June, 

seventh  New  York,  who  had  been  cut  off,  and  driving  the 
enemy  back  up  the  ridge  to  a  point  where  it  was  crossed  by 
a  railroad  cut.  To  escape  this  attack  most  of  them  jumped 
down  into  the  cut.  As  the  banks  were  high  and  steep,  and 
the  outlet  narrow,  they  placed  themselves  at  the  mercy  of 
our  troops.  While  one  body  of  pursuers  was  firing  down 
into  them,  another  had  taken  possession  of  the  outlet  and 
was  raking  the  cut  from  end  to  end.  This  was  too  much 
even  for  Davis's  Mississippians  to  stand,  and,  though  they 
fought  obstinately,  they  were  nearly  all  killed  or  taken 
prisoners.  Hetlrs  two  brigades  had  been  practically  used 
up,  not  with  cavalry  alone,  as  they  had  expected  to  find, 
but  with  infantry,  in  whom  they  recognized  their  old  an 
tagonists  of  many  a  hard-fought  field,  who  had  fought  them 
that  day  with  an  unusual  determination  even  for  them. 

Heth  hesitated  about  advancing  to  attack  again  in  the 
face  of  such  a  check  as  he  had  received,  without  a  strong 
backing.  Sending  word  to  Lee  of  his  encounter,  he  set 
about  forming  the  fragments  of  his  two  brigades  on  two 
fresh  ones,  where  they  could  be  sheltered  from  Union  fire. 
Yet  Hill,  his  chief,  had  told  him  the  night  before  that  there 
was  no  objection  in  the  world  to  his  going  into  Gettysburg 
the  next  day.  Lee's  orders  to  his  subordinates  wrere  not  to 
force  the  fighting  until  the  whole  army  was  up.  Fender 
formed  behind  Heth,  the  artillery  set  to  work,  and  all  wTere 
then  looking  for  Rodes,  who  was  expected  on  the  Carlisle 
(or  Mummasburg)  road,  before  entering  the  fight.  This 
was  a  most  fortunate  respite  to  the  small  Union  force  on 
Oak  Ridge,  as  some  hours  elapsed  before  there  was  any 
fighting  by  the  infantry,  but  the  artillery  kept  up  its  annoy 
ing  fire.  The  two  remaining  divisions  of  the  First  Corps 
now  came  upon  the  ground.  Robinson's  was  left  in  re 
serve  at  the  seminary,  where  they  threw  up  some  breast 
works;  Rowley's  (formerly  Doubleday's)  division  went  into 
line  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  troops  already  there,  which 
extended  both  flanks  considerably;  and,  on  the  extreme 


1863.]  THE    ENEMY    DISCOVERED    BY    BUFOPvD  197 

left,  now  held  for  Riddle's  brigade,  two  companies  of  the 
Twentieth  Xew  York  were  thrown  across  the  run.  to  the 
Harnian  house  and  outbuildings,  where  they  did  good  ser 
vice  in  keeping  down  the  enemy's  skirmish  fire.  This  gave 
the  First  Corps  about  one  mile  and  a  half  of  line  from  the 
Hagerstown  to  Muinmasburg  road.  Fender's  division  now 
came  into  line,  outflanking  the  Union  left,  and  Rodes  was 
seen  coming  down  the  Muinmasburg  road  well  out  beyond 
the  right  of  the  First  Corps. 

The  combat  just  closed  was  merely  child's  play  with  that 
about  to  come.  A  sharp  cannonade  was  begun,  giving 
notice  that  they  would  shortly  begin  the  attack.  This  ar 
tillery  fire  from  Oak  Ridge  enfiladed  the  Union  position  so 
completely  that  the  Union  right  was  obliged  to  fall  back 
on  Seminary  Ridge,  which  formed  a  new  front  to  this  at 
tack.  The  left  and  centre  kept  its  former  position,  with 
some  rearrangement  of  its  line,  which  had  now  become  very 
crooked.  Over  twenty  thousand  men  now  awaited  the 
word  to  rush  upon  a  little  over  ten  thousand.  Before  the 
battle  could  be  renewed,  the  Eleventh  Corps  came  up 
through  Gettysburg.  Its  commander,  Howard,  was  now 
in  command  of  the  field,  being  next  in  command  to  Rey 
nold's.  He  sent  Schurz's  and  Barlow's  divisions  to  con 
front  Rodes,  leaving  Steinwehr's  in  reserve  on  Cemetery 
Hill.  HoAvard,  preceding  his  corps  to  the  field  with  too 
much  haste,  by  half,  notified  Meade  that  Reynolds  was 
killed  and  the  First  Corps  routed,  which  was  only  half  true 
and  calculated  to  do  much  mischief,  as  it  soon  spread 
throughout  the  army.  He  also  sent  an  urgent  request  to 
Slocum,  who  had  halted  at  Two  Taverns,  less  than  five  miles 
away,  to  come  to  his  assistance  with  the  Twelfth  Corps. 
Supposing  the  day  lost,  from  the  tenor  of  Howard's  dis 
patch,  and  lacking  full  confidence  in  that  general's  ability, 
and  thinking  only  of  how  he  should  save  the  rest  of  his 
First  Corps,  Meade  posted  Hancock  oft'  to  Gettysburg,  with 
full  authority  to  take  command  of  all  troops  there,  decide 


198  BATTERY   A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Juney 

whether  Gettysburg  should  be  held  or  given  up,  and  report 
his  decision,  to  the  end  that  proper  steps  might  be  taken 
to  counteract  this  disaster  if  vet  possible.  Slocum  would 
not  stir  from  Two  Taverns  without  orders,  although  the 
firing  was  distinctly  heard  there,  and  he  could  have  reached 
Gettysburg  in  an  hour  and  a  half.  A  second  and  still  more 
urgent  appeal  decided  that  commander,  late  in  the  after 
noon,  to  set  his  troops  in  motion.  It  was  then  too  late. 
Sickles,  who  might  have  been  at  Gettysburg  inside  of  three 
hours,  Avith  the  greater  part  of  his  corps,  appears  to  have 
lingered  in  a  deplorable  state  of  indecision  until  between 
two  and  three  o'clock,  before  he  could  or  would  make  up  his 
mind  what  to  do.  By  contrast  we  find  Ewell  promptly  go 
ing  to  HilTs  assistance  upon  a  simple  request  for  such  co 
operation,  though  Ewell  was  Hill's  senior;  and  it  is  a  well- 
known  fact  that  his  doing  so  proved  the  turning-point  of 
this  battle.  Certainly  one  corps,  probably  two,  might 
easily  have  reached  the  field  in  season  to  take  decisive  part 
in  the  battle,  but  remained  inactive,  while  the  Confederates 
were  hurrying  every  available  man  forward  to  the  point  of 
danger.  This  was  where  Reynolds's  fall  proved  supremely 
disastrous,  and  where  an  opportunity  to  acquire  a  decisive 
superiority  on  the  field  of  battle  was  most  unfortunately 
thrown  away  for  want  of  a  head.  General  Schurz  was 
compelled  to  establish  his  line  of  battle  through  an  open 
field  north  of  the  town,  and  in  this  formation  caused  a  wide 
gap  between  his  left  and  Doubleday's  right. 

The  artillery  of  the  Eleventh  Corps  was  composed  of 
Dilger's  Ohio,  Wheeler's  Xew  York,  and  Wilkinson's  United 
States  batteries.  Hill,  finding  that  Ewell  was  advancing 
against  the  Union  right  on  Seminary  Ridge,  advanced  his 
brigade  against  their  left.  Eodes  joining  his  right  on  the 
left  of  Hill's  corps,  ordered  Carter's  artillery  to  open  upon 
Cooper's,  Stewart's,  and  Reynolds's  batteries  along  the 
lines  of  Doubleday.  At  the  same  time  he  sent  against  Cut 
ler's  right  O'Neal's  and  Iverson's  brigades.  Doubleday 


1863.]  THE    ENEMY    DISCOVERED    BY    BUFOKD  199 

sent  first  Baxter's  and  then  Paul's  brigades  of  Robinson's 
division,  to  fill  the  gap  between  the  right  of  Cutler  and  the 
Eleventh  Corps.  As  Baxter  moved  to  extend  the  right  of 
Cutlers,  Rodes  sent  O'Neal's  brigade  by  the  McLean  build 
ings  to  stop  him.  O'Neal  was  repulsed  and  driven  back 
with  great  loss.  Iverson's  brigade  advancing  by  the  For 
ney  buildings  attacked  Cutler's  brigade,  which  was  re-en 
forced  by  Paul's.  After  defeating  O'Neal,  Baxter  took 
position  behind  a  stonewall  and  opened  upon  Iverson's 
front.  Cutler's  and  Paul's  brigades  sent  showers  of  leaden 
death  into  their  right  flank,  and,  assisted  by  Cooper's  and 
Stewart's  guns,  the  Confederates  were  driven  back,  leaving 
over  seven  hundred  prisoners  in  the  hands  of  Robinson's 
soldiers.  After  another  effective  fire  from  Ewell's  and 
Hill's  batteries,  the  Confederates  moved  against  the  Union 
forces  .  in  great  numbers.  Pamela's,  Ramseur's,  and 
O'Neal's  brigades  advanced  from  Oak  Hill,  and  moved 
against  the  right  of  Poubleday.  and  Pettigrew  and  Brock- 
enbrough  threw  their  forces  against  Meredith's  and  Bid- 
die's  brigades.  The  struggle  Avas  desperate  and  deadly; 
each  of  the  brigades  of  Rodes  and  Hetli  were  defeated  by 
heroic  efforts  of  the  First  Corps.  In  the  meantime  Early's 
division  of  Ewell's  corps  had  arrived  by  the  Harrisburg 
road,  and  were  ordered  to  attack  Schurz's  Eleventh  Corps 
on  its  right.  General  Early,  under  the  fire  of  Jones's  artil 
lery,  advanced  Gordon's  brigade  against  Barlow's  division, 
who  made  a  desperate  resistance.  General  Barlow  was 
wounded,  and  his  two  brigades  were  compelled  to  fall  back. 
On  the  left,  Schimmelpfennig's  division  was  attacked  by 
Poles's  brigade.  At  a  time  like  this  the  bravest  go  down, 
and  soon  the  fields  were  strewn  with  dead  and  wounded. 
Poles  charged  rapidly  against  Schurz's  left;  Gordon  and 
Hays  forced  back  the  right.  Hokes's  and  Smith's  brigades 
were  penetrating  into  Gettysburg  from  the  east.  There 
was  but  one  alternative  for  the  Eleventh  Corps,  namely,  to 
retreat  to  Cemetery  Hill.  Coster's  brigade  was  sent  to 


200  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY    [June, 

their  assistance,  but  it  was  of  no  avail.  The  Union  troops 
were  forced  in  great  disorder  into  the  town,  where  thou 
sands  were  captured  in  the  streets.  Ewell  and  Hill  now 
ordered  a  general  advance  against  the  First  Corps.  Rodes's 
and  Fender's  divisions  attacked  Poubleday  right  and  left. 

The  retreat  of  the  Eleventh  Corps  forced  Robinson  to 
withdraw  his  brigades  from  North  Seminary  Ridge.  At 
this  time  the  position  of  the  Union  forces  was  a  most  crit 
ical  one.  The  Confederates  advanced  in  massive  columns. 
The  fighting  was  terrible  along  the  whole  line.  The  regi 
ments  on  the  left  (Biddle's)  being  attacked  in  front  by 
McGowan's,  and  on  the  flank  by  Lane's  brigade,  one  after 
another  were  forced  back  to  Seminary  Ridge.  Meredith's 
brigade,  being  reduced  to  a  handful  of  men,  was  compelled 
to  give  way.  Stone's  brigade,  on  their  right,  stood  facing 
Scales.  They  soon  received  a  flank  fire,  and  were  forced 
to  fall  back,  fighting  as  they  retired.  Doubleday,  seeing 
his  command  outflanked,  and  the  Eleventh  Corps  in  rapid 
retreat  in  his  rear,  ordered  the  First  Corps  to  fall  back  to 
Cemetery  Hill.  The  enemy,  finding  the  Union  troops  with 
drawing,  rushed  after  them  in  great  numbers,  and,  during 
the  retreat  that  followed,  the  men  became  panic-stricken, 
were  separated  from  their  commands,  and  many  were  made 
prisoners  in  the  streets,  and  on  the  roads  leading  back  to 
Cemetery  Hill. 

This  was  the  condition  of  affairs  which  the  Second  Corps, 
to  which  the  writer  belonged,  found  when  that  corps  ar 
rived  on  the  evening  of  the  first  day's  fighting  at  Gettys 
burg. 

The  30th  of  June  was  a  day  of  rest  for  us,  and  of  which 
we  were  much  in  need.  The  horses  stood  the  trip  much  bet 
ter  than  we  had  expected.  It  was  a  fine  country,  and  the 
people  did  all  in  their  power  to  make  our  stay  agreeable 
and  pleasant. 


FIRST  LIEUT.  GEORGE  VV.  FIELD. 

Enrolled  as  Corporal  Battery  A  ;    First   Sergeant  ;    First    Lieutenant  Battery 

F;  resigned;  Second  Lieutenant  Fourth  Rhode  Island  Infantry; 

killed  at  battle  of  the  Crater,  near  Petersburg,  Va. 


1863.]  GETTYSBURG  201 


CHAPTER  XIII 

THE  BATTLE  OF  GETTYSBURG.1 

JULY  1st  will  go  down  in  history  as  a  most  eventful  day. 
It  was  a  very  fine  morning.     We  received  orders  to 
march  about  six,  and  started  north  up  the  Taneytown 
road,   passing   through   Taneytown   about   noon,   and, 
after  making   a   brief  halt,   received   orders   to   march   and 
continued  until  nearly  dark,  then  rested  for  the  night  on 
the  roadside  in  a  very  rough  country,  having  inarched  that 
day    about    twenty    miles.     All    through    the   evening    and 
night  there  was  a  constant  passing  of  troops.     The  First 
and  Eleventh  corps  and  Buford's  cavalry  had  a  fearful  fight 
against  Lee's  army  with  overwhelming  odds  in  favor  of  the 
latter,  and  were  driven  back  with  great  slaughter  and  the 
loss  of  General  Reynolds,  of  the  First  Corps,  and  command 
ing  the   First   and   Eleventh   corps   and   Buford's   cavalry. 
It  made  us  feel  rather  timorous  when  wre  thought  of  Fred- 
ericksburg  and  Chancellorsville.  and,  with  a  new  man  in     / 
command  of  the  army,  we  did  not  know  but  that  it  might 
'  be  a  repetition  of  those  former  battles.     As  it  was  we  waited 
the  coming  of  the  morrow  with  intense  anxiety. 


1  The  Battle  of  Gettysburg  consisted  of  eight  distinct  engagements,  as  follows: 
FIRST  DAY— (1)  The  fight  of  Buford  and  the  First  and  Eleventh  Corps  against  Hill 
and  Ewell,  west  and  north  of  the  town,  in  which  Reynolds  was  killed;  Heth,  Scales, 
Paul  Meredith,  and  others  wounded,  and  Archer  and  most  of  his  brigade  captured. 
SECOND  DAY— (2)  The  attack  of  Longstreet  and  Hill  on  Sickles  and  Hancock,  on  left 
and  left  centre,  in  which  Zook,  Vincent,  Weed,  Barksdale,  Semmes,  and  Fender 
were  killed;  Sickles  and  Hood  wounded.  (3)  The  attack  of  Johnson  on  Gulp's  Hill. 
(4)  The  attack  of  the  Louisiana  Tigers  on  East  Cemetery  Hill.  THIRD  DAY— (5) 
Geary's  fight  for  the  recovery  of  Gulp's  Hill.  (6)  The  attack  on  the  left  centre,  usu 
ally  called  "  Fickett's  charge,"  in  which  Garnettand  Armistead  were  killed ;  Hancock 
and  Fettigrew  wounded ;  Kemper  and  Trimble  wounded  and  captured.  (7)  Stuart's 
cavalry  fight  on  the  Union  right,  in  which  Hampton  was  wounded.  (8)  The  cavalry 
and  infantry  advance  on  the  Union  left,  in  which  Farnsworth  was  killed. 


202  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [July, 

On  July  2d  the  morning  was  clear  and  warm.  We  were 
put.  into  line  of  battle  just  before  six  o'clock.  The  town  of 
Gettysburg  lay  glistening  in  the  rays  of  the  morning  sun 
light  and  presented  a  picture  never  to  be  forgotten.  The 
region  round  about  us  was  diversified  by  hills  and  valleys, 
with  tracts  of  rolling  land,  forming  a  beautiful  and  varied 
landscape  which  would  have  been  more  fully  appreciated 
if  it  could  have  been  viewed  under  more  peaceful  circum 
stances.  Gettysburg  is  the  county  seat  of  Adams  County, 
and  is  one  hundred  and  fourteen  miles  west  of  Philadel 
phia.  Pennsylvania  College  is  located  here.  This  place  is 
the  market  town  or  borough  of  an  exclusively  farming  pop 
ulation,  and  is  in  one  of  the  most  productive  sections  of  the 
state.  It  is  the  seat  of  justice  of  the  county,  and  has  a 
seminary  and  college  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church. 
This  thriving  borough  lay  about  one  mile  directly  north 
of  our  position.  On  our  left  were  Big  and  Little  Round 
Top,  both  small  mountains.  On  our  right  and  rear — near 
what  was  called  Culp's  Hill,  Cemetery  Hill,  and  Wolfs 
Hill,  and  directly  in  our  front,  was  a  long,  gradual  slope 
extending  for  a  mile  or  more,  with  a  fine  looking  road 
running  through  the  centre,  called  the  Emmitsburg  road. 

The  Second  Corps  was  placed  in  position  along  Cemetery 
Ridge,  running  nearly  north  and  south.  On  our  right  were 
the  First,  Eleventh,  and  Twelfth  Corps,  and  the  extreme 
right  extended  around  nearly  in  rear  of  our  battery  on  the 
right  of  our  line  and  formed  a  perfect  fishhook.  Directly  in 
our  rear  over  the  ridge  was  the  Taneytown  road,  while  at 
this  point  only  a  very  short  distance  was  the  Baltimore 
pike,  both  of  which  followed  into  the  town  close  together, 
forming  a  junction  with  the  Emmitsburg  road  just  before 
Gettysburg  is  reached.  The  right  wing  was  commanded  by 
General  Slocum;  the  Second  Corps  by  Hancock,  forming 
the  left  centre.  On  our  left  was  the  Third  Corps  under 
Sickles.  Directly  in  our  front  running  north  and  south  is 


1863.]  GETTYSBURG  203 

Seminary  Ridge,  and  upon  which  the  Confederate  army 
stretched  from  Gettysburg  south  to  below  Round  Top,  and 
from  Gettysburg  east  and  south  around  ('nip's  Hill,  turn 
ing  around  the  Union  army's  flank  on  both  ends  of  the  line. 
It  was  a  fine  looking  ridge  with  a  broad  bald  top  and  plenty 
of  open  space  for  troops  to  manoeuvre,  and  was  well  pro 
tected  by  a  thin  fringe  of  trees  skirting  its  entire  crest,  be 
hind  which  troops  could  be  effectually  masked  unseen  from 
the  Union  lines;  there  also  could  be  seen  the  cupola  of  the 
Lutheran  Seminary.  A  very  brief  survey  would  suggest 
that  an  army  could  be  perfectly  hid  behind  the  trees  of 
Seminary  Ridge,  also  better  sheltered  from  artillery  fire, 
while  Cemetery  Ridge  was  nearly  treeless,  with  exceptions 
of  a  clump  or  two,  until  we  get  down  to  what  is  called 
Devil's  Den.  In  fact,  the  whole  scene  around  Gettysburg 
is  of  such  quiet  pastoral  beauty,  with  its  well  cultivated 
fields  and  farms,  apparently  so  far  from  strife  and 
carnage,  that  one  could  hardly  believe  that  the  greatest  of 
all  modern  conflicts  had  been  enacted  upon  its  soil,  and 
which  caused  Gettysburg  to  be  a  decisive  factor  in  the  his 
tory  of  our  country.  Great  deeds  have  lifted  it  to  monu 
mental  proportions.  As  Abraham  Lincoln  so  eloquently 
said,  when  dedicating  the  National  Cemetery  here :  ''The 
brave  men,  living  and  dead,  who  struggled  here,  have  con 
secrated  it  far  above  our  power  to  add  or  detract.  The 
world  will  little  note,  nor  long  remember,  what  we  say  here, 
but  it  can  never  forget  what  they  did  here.''  These  noble 
words,  uttered  by  this  illustrious  patriot,  will  also  live  and 
be  remembered  throughout  the  coming  ages. 

Directly  along  the  front  of  our  guns  ran  a  wall  north 
and  south  composed  of  brownish  ironstone,  just  to  the  left 
of  our  left  gun,  where  it  turned  sharp  to  the  Avest  for  about 
a  hundred  yards,  perhaps  more,  as  I  have  to  guess  at  it,  and 
then  turned  again  south.  A  little  beyond  this  turn,  to 
the  right,  and  directly  on  our  right,  was  our  Third 
Division  to  which  we  then  belonged,  and  which  was  com- 


204  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [July, 

inanded  by  (Jen.  Alexander  Hays.  Joining  on  the  left, 
and  at  an  angle  of  the  wall,  was  our  Second  Division, 
commanded  by  General  Gibbon,  with  our  First  Division  in 
support.  Our  artillery  was  placed  from  right  to  left,  as 
follows :  Battery  I,  First  United  States,  Lieutenant  Wood 
ruff;  Battery  A,  First  Rhode  Island,  Captain  Arnold;  Bat 
tery  A,  Fourth  United  States,  Lieutenant  Gushing;  Battery 
B,  First  Khode  Island,  Lieutenant  Brown,  and  Rorty's  New 
York  Battery  making  five  six-gun  batteries  of  the  Second 
Corps.  A  little  to  the  left  of  Rorty's  was  Battery  E,  First 
Rhode  Island  Artillery,  Captain  Randolph.  With  the  ex 
ception  of  some  sharp  skirmishing  there  was  very  little 
firing  during  the  day  until  after  four  o'clock.  General 
Hays  was  occupied  in  trying  to  drive  some  sharpshooters 
out  of  d  large  barn  in  our  front,  and,  by  the  courage  he  dis 
played,  confirmed  the  statements  we  had  heard  concerning 
his  bravery,  as  he  appeared  incapable  of  fear.  After  giving 
orders  for  the  barn  to  be  taken  and  burned  he  started  out 
with  the  skirmish  line.  Going  a  hundred  yards  or  more 
he  missed  his  headquarters  flag  and  came  back  himself  to 
see  about  it.  The  color-bearer  was  an  Irishman  whom  all 
the  boys  called  "Wild  Jack."  The  general  came  up  to  him 
exclaiming:  "Why  don't  you  come  on  with  that  flag?" 
Jack  very  politely  saluted  him  and  said:  "'All  right,  gen 
eral,  if  yez  get's  into  hell,  look  out  of  the  window,  and  ye'll 
see  Jack  coming."  They  were  watched  by  thousands  of 
eyes,  all  expecting  to  see  one  or  both  drop  from  their  horses, 
but  it  Avas  not  so  to  be,  and  they  returned  in  safety.  The 
delay  of  that  day,  on  the  part  of  Longstreet,  is  what  may 
well  be  called  the  salvation  of  our  army,  as  it  had  given 
time  for  the  whole  of  the  Union  forces  to  assemble,  though 
the  belated  Fifth  and  Sixth  corps  could  not  be  considered 
as  in  fighting  trim  after  marching  thirty-six  miles  with 
scarcely  a  halt. 

The   Sixth   Corps   had   already   reached   the   field,   when, 
about  4.30  p.  M.,  the  booming  of  a  single  gun  gave  notice 


1863.]  GETTYSBURG  205 

that  the  long-expected  battle  had  begun.  At  this  signal 
all  the  enemy's  batteries  opened  in  succession,  and  for  a 
time  a  storm  of  shot  and  shell  tore  through  Sickles's  lines 
with  crushing  effect.  General  Sickles,  contrary  to  orders, 
placed  his  corps  in  a  most  perilous  position  by  leaving  a 
great  gap  between  our  Second  Division  and  his  corps,  caus 
ing  the  most  strenuous  work  afterwards  for  our  generals 
to  fill  by  throwing  in  troops  to  defend  our  weakened  lines 
and  the  lives  of  hundreds  of  brave  men.  For  a  time  it 
looked  as  though  we  were  lost,  and,  as  far  as  I  could  see, 
all  in  sight  was  in  the  same  plight.  The  Fifth  Corps,  worn 
and  haggard  after  their  long  march,  reached  the  field  just 
in  time  to  save  the  day,  as  the  Third  Corps  (Sickles's)  was 
outnumbered  and  outflanked.  Just  at  this  critical  moment 
that  war-horse,  Hancock,  sent  our  First  Division  (General 
Richardson's  old  command),  now  commanded  by  Caldwell, 
into  the  gap  left  by  Sickles,  and  the  day  was  saved.  About 
this  time  Hancock,  when  "patching"  up  a  second  line,  per 
ceived  a  column  of  troops  which  he  took  to  be  his  own  men, 
emerging  from  a  clump  of  trees,  and,  riding  towards 
them,  intending  to  put  them  in  good  order,  received  a  vol 
ley  which  brought  down  his  aid,  Captain  Miller.  The 
troops  proved  to  be  Wilcox's  (Confederate)  brigade,  break 
ing  into  the  open  from  the  clump  of  trees.  There  were  no 
troops,  right  or  left,  to  be  seen;  but,  as  Hancock  turned, 
he  discovered  close  at  hand  the  First  Minnesota  alone  and 
unsupported.  Desirous  of  gaining  time  until  re-enforce 
ments  could  be  brought  forward  he  rode  up  to  Colonel  Col- 
ville  and  ordered  him  to  take  the  enemy's  colors.  A  des 
perate  fight  ensued,  in  which  the  Confederates  were  forced 
back,  leaving  their  colors  in  the  hands  of  the  First  Minne 
sota.  This  regiment  took  262  officers  and  men  into  the 
fight.  It  lost  forty-seven  killed  and  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
eight  wounded,  a  total  of  two  hundred  and  fifteen  killed 
and  wounded,  with  none  missing.  Seventeen  officers  were 
killed  or  wounded,  including  the  colonel,  lieutenant-colonel, 


206  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [July, 

major,  and  adjutant;  the  percentage  of  killed  was  twenty- 
eight,  while  the  percentage  of  killed  and  wounded  was 
eighty-six,  the  largest  ever  lost  by  one  regiment  in  modern 
warfare.  It  is  unequaled  in  military  statistics.  In  speak 
ing  of  this  affair  afterward,  General  Hancock  is  reported 
to  have  said:  "There  is  no  more  gallant  deed  recorded  in 
history.  I  ordered  those  men  in  there  because  I  saw  I 
must  gain  five  minutes'  time.  I  would  have  ordered  them 
in  there  if  I  had  known  every  one  would  have  been  killed. 
It  had  to  be  done,  and  I  was  glad  to  find  such  a  gallant 
body  at  hand  willing  to  make  the  terrible  sacrifice  that  the 
occasion  demanded.''  Battery  B,  First  Rhode  Island,  was 
brought  into  this  engagement  by  Gibbon,  and  held  a  posi 
tion  in  the  Cordori  field  in  advance  of  the  main  line,  to 
wards  the  Emmitsburg  road;  the  Fifteenth  Massachusetts 
and  Eighty-second  New  York  were  advanced  to  the  road. 
In  this  position  they  were  attacked  on  the  left  flank  by 
Wright's  brigade  of  Anderson's  division,  who  were  trying 
to  fill  the  gap  between  the  Second  and  Third  corps,  caused 
by  the  unfortunate  movement  of  Sickles.  The  enemy  ad 
vanced  in  solid  front  in  two  lines,  and  was  cut  down  by  a 
steady  fire  from  Battery  B,  and  those  of  Evan  Thomas, 
Battery  C,  Fourth  United  States;  Battery  A,  First  Rhode 
Island;  with  Cushing's  A,  First  United  States  Artillery; 
besides  every  gun  of  the  Second  Corps  was  opened  upon 
them.  From  my  position  it  looked  to  me  as  if  our  guns 
were  never  served  better.  All  the  troops  in  the  Cordori 
field  and  Teach  Orchard  were  forced  back.  Battery  B,  in 
going  through  a  gap  in  the  wall,  had  several  horses  killed, 
and  was  forced  to  abandon  one  gun.  Lieut.  T.  Fred 
Brown,  commanding  that  battery,  was  wounded,  and  three 
men  were  killed  and  seventeen  wounded,  besides  the  loss  of 
a  number  of  horses.  Our  Second  Division's  loss  was  very 
heavy  in  officers  and  men.  Our  First  Division  and  Wil- 
lard's  brigade  of  our  Third  Division  had  done  splendid 
work.  Though  the  brigade  had  been  greatly  decimated  in 


1863.]  GETTYSBURG  207 

action  they  gallantly  charged  the  enemy,  in  which  charge 
General  Barksdale  (Confederate)  was  mortally  wounded. 
Our  division  distinguished  itself,  the  Fifteenth  Massa 
chusetts  losing  very  heavily,  including  its  colonel  (Ward), 
who  was  commanding  the  brigade  at  the  time  he  was  killed. 
The  commander  of  the  Third  Corps  (General  Sickles)  was 
dangerously  wounded.  The  ground  between  the  Peach 
Orchard  and  the  Devil's  Den  was  fought  over  again  and 
again;  at  one  time  the  fighting  was  hand-to-hand.  From 
the  opposite  side  of  rocks  men  were  striking  and  thrusting 
at  each  other.  At  length  a  division  from  the  First  and 
Twelfth  corps  and  the  two  Independent  Maryland  brigades, 
under  Lockwood,  and  the  brigades  of  Wheaton  and  Nevin 
of  the  Sixth  Corps,  came  into  view,  and  Crawford's  Penn- 
sylvanians  from  the  extreme  left  of  our  line,  making  it  look 
rather  precarious  for  Longstreet,  whose  men  had  been  fight 
ing  for  over  four  hours  a  hot,  continuous  battle,  and  who 
retired  from  this  strong  array  of  Union  infantry  and  the 
powerful  batteries  now  posted  along  Plum  Run.  During 
the  first  two  hours  of  the  fighting  the  Third  Corps  had  been 
handicapped  by  the  great  odds  with  which  they  had  to  con 
tend  of  nearly  three  to  one;  as  Longstreet  had,  according 
to  his  own  account,  thirteen  thousand  men  in  line,  while 
Sickles  had  less  than  five  thousand.  At  no  time  in  the 
fight  was  the  Union  side  equal  in  forces  until  at  the  finish, 
when  the  enemy  retired.  The  firing  on  the  left  had  hardly 
ceased  when  a  fierce  struggle  began  on  our  right  and  rear, 
between  Culp's  and  Cemetery  Hills,  which  lasted  until 
nearly  nine  o'clock,  and  it  looked  to  me  at  one  time  as  if 
we  were  surrounded,  as  part  of  our  guns  pointed  to  the  rear 
and  opened  fire  in  that  direction.  Cushing's  Battery  A, 
Fourth  United  States,  was  on  our  left;  the  line  of  battle 
being  like  a  fishhook  brought  it  around  to  our  rear. 
EwelFs  corps  advanced  towards  the  Baltimore  road,  -John 
son's  division  being  thrown  against  our  extreme  right 
forced  their  Avav  into  Slocum's  works  in  which  had  been 


208  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    E.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [July, 

left  very  few  troops  owing  to  the  urgent  call  for  re-enforce 
ments  on  the  left.  This  was  the  condition  threatening 
Meade's  communications  with  Baltimore,  and  holding  the 
gate  by  which  any  number  of  troops  might  during  the  night 
be  thrown  into  the  rear  of  Meade's  army. 

In  the  meantime  the  brigades  of  Hays  and  Avery,  of 
Early's  division,  \vere  thrown  against  Cemetery  Hill,  held 
by  the  Eleventh  Corps,  and,  in  spite  of  a  withering  fire 
from  our  three  guns  and  Whittier's  Fifth  Maine  Battery, 
stationed  on  the  edge  of  Gulp's  Hill,  they  advanced  in  splen 
did  order  and  pushed  themselves  up  the  slope  with  shouts 
of  triumph,  beating  back  the  brigade  of  Yon  Gilsa  and  de 
moralizing  them,  driving  the  Fifth  Maine  from  their  guns, 
and  for  a  short  time  holding  the  position  and  putting  the 
Union  army  in  a  perilous  plight.  For  my  part  I  thought 
our  chances  were  very  slim.  But  Hancock,  ever  on  the 
alert,  without  orders  from  General  Meade,  or  even  a  request 
from  Howard,  had  put  Carroll's  brigade  of  our  Third  Divis 
ion  in  motion.  It  is  doubtful  if  that  Avork  could  have 
fallen  to  a  better  body  of  troops  or  a  man  more  fitted  for 
the  occasion  to  do  the  Avork  and  do  it  quickly.  With  the 
Fourth  Ohio,  Fourteenth  Indiana,  and  Seventh  Virginia, 
his  Eighth  Ohio  being  on  the  skirmish  line  in  front  of  our 
Third  Division,  Carroll  moved  by  his  right  flank,  rapidly 
covering  the  rear  of  the  captured  position,  and,  at  the  word, 
threw  his  brigade,  or  three  regiments,  against  the  troops 
of  Hays  and  Avery.  It  was  a  critical  moment,  for  large 
bodies  of  troops  from  Pender's  division  were  moving  up 
from  the  enemy's  line  to  attack  Cemetery  Hill  from  the 
west.  It  was  a  sharp,  short  and  decisive  engagement, 
Hays's  and  Avery's  brigades  being  put  to  flight  by  the  im 
petuous  attack  of  Carroll's  (Union)  brigade,  as  Gordon's 
(Confederate)  brigade  met  their  comrades  in  full  retreat, 
as  they  advanced  to  their  support.  The  position  of  the 
Eleventh  Corps  was  thus  restored  and  its  guns  retaken. 
>s  Early's  attempt  had  failed,  that  of  Kodes  and  Fender 


1863.]  GETTYSBURG  209 

on  the  west  was  abandoned.  Carroll's  brigade,  which  had 
rendered  snch  signal  service,  at  the  request  of  General 
Howard,  held  its  position  through  the  night. 

Thus  ended  the  second  day's  fighting  around  Gettysburg, 
and  we  breathed  freely  again.  The  chests  were  refilled  with 
ammunition,  and,  after  providing  for  our  horses,  and  get 
ting  something  to  eat  for  ourselves,  we  fixed  up  the  best 
kind  of  beds  possible  and  tried  to  get  a  little  rest,  of  which 
we  stood  greatly  in  need.  For  myself  I  placed  my  blanket 
against  a  stonewall  running  east  and  west,  near  our  limber, 
and  lay  down  to  try  to  sleep,  awaiting  the  fate  of  the  mor 
row.  At  one  time  during  the  fighting  in  the  Devil's  Den 
and  at  the  Wheatfield  and  Peach  Orchard  it  seemed  nearly 
as  severe  as  that  around  Dunker  Church  and  the  sunken 
road  at  Antietam. 

The  morning  of  the  3d  of  July  dawned  bright  and  beauti 
ful.  The  rebel  batteries  commenced  at  daylight  shelling 
from  the  right  of  their  line  of  battle,  and  for  over  an  hour 
made  things  quite  lively  for  us.  At  the  same  time  on  our  ex 
treme  right  and  partly  in  our  rear,  where  the  fighting  was 
so  sharp  the  night  before,  there  began  a  very  fierce  engage 
ment  between  the  Twelfth  (Union)  Corps  and  EwelPs 
(Confederate)  Corps,  and,  as  both  sides  had  orders  to  at 
tack,  there  was  no  delay  on  either  side.  From  every  com 
manding  spot  our  batteries  Avere  sending  shell  into  the 
woods  along  Rock  Creek.  Ewell's  men  poured  forth  from 
the  valley  of  Rock  Creek  and  up  the  hillside  to  renew  the 
attack  on  our  lines  which  had  proved  so  disastrous  to  them 
the  day  before.  It  was  at  this  time  and  place  that  the 
Second  Massachusetts  and  Twenty-seventh  Indiana  were 
ordered  to  charge  across  a  meadow  between  Gulp's  and 
McAllister's  hills,  on  the  other  sides  of  which  the  enemy 
lay  in  their  old  entrenchments.  To  try  to  pass  that 
meadow  was  rushing  to  certain  destruction.  "Are  you  sure 
that  is  the  order?"  was  demanded  of  the  officer  who  brought 
it.  "Positive,"  was  the  answer.  "Up  men !  fix  bayonets ! 

14 


210  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [July, 

forward!"  was  the  ringing  command.  One  regiment 
readied  tlie  works,  the  other  faltered  midway  under  the 
terrible  fire.  As  many  were  lost  in  going  back  as  there 
were  in  going  forward.  Only  half  of  the  men  got  back  to 
the  lines  unharmed.  During  the  height  of  this  assault  a 
shell  struck  the  No.  2  limber  of  Cnshing's  Battery  A, 
Fourth  United  States  Artillery,  and  exploded  it,  which 
connected  with  their  Nos.  1  and  3  and  exploded  both  of 
them  also.  The  concussion  from  these  three  limbers  was 
so  powerful  that  1  was  thrown  down  and  my  horses 
got  twisted  up  as  the  lead  and  swing  ones  turned  short 
around.  Lannegan  and  Healy  soon  had  theirs  by  the  head 
and  we  got  them  back  into  place.  It  Avas  a  great  wonder 
that  it  did  not  blow  ours  up,  as  we  were  nearer  to  their 
first  limber  than  their  second  one  was.  The  horses  of  the 
first  limber  started,  and,  as  far  as  T  could  see,  went  straight 
into  the  enemy's  lines.  While  the  fighting  was  going  on  on 
our  right.  General  Hays  began  again  to  charge  the  large 
barn  in  our  front  (the  Bliss  barn).  He  chose  a  detach 
ment  from  the  Twelfth  New  Jersey  who  captured  the  barn 
with  the  Confederate  skirmish  reserve.  Not  long  after,  the 
enemy  again  occupying  the  barn,  General  Hays  ordered  a 
detachment  of  the  Fourteenth  Connecticut,  under  Major 
Ellis,  to  take  and  burn  it.  The  Fourteenth  acquitted  itself 
handsomely  in  this  affair,  losing  ten  men  killed  and  fifty- 
two  wounded.  General  Hays  was  to  be  seen  the  same  as 
the  day  before  with  his  flag  following  him  up  and  down  the 
skirmish  line,  encouraging  his  men  to  activity,  in  full  view 
of  both  armies.  It  was  thought  by  many  that  he  was  a  hot 
headed  fighter,  yet  he  proved  to  be  one  of  the  best  and  most 
level-headed  men  I  ever  saw  on  the  battlefield.  The  ex 
plosion  of  the  limber,  already  alluded  to,  had  startled  the 
horses  so  that  they  were  very  uneasy  the  rest  of  the  day. 
Lannegan  had  to  hold  on  to  his  whenever  there  was  any  fir 
ing,  and  he  was  in  that  position  when  struck  in  the  groin 
with  a  Minie  bullet  and  mortally  wounded.  He  was 
a  genial  fellow  and  a  good  soldier. 


1868.]  GETTYSBURG  211 

Shortly  after  eleven  o'clock  the  firing  ceased,  and,  for 
over  an  hour,  there  was  hardly  a  picket  shot  heard.  Tt  was 
a  queer  sight  to  see  men  look  at  each  other  without  speak 
ing  ;  the  change  was  so  great  men  seemed  to  go  on  tip- toe, 
not  knowing  how  to  act,  and  all  was  speculation  as  to  what 
was  coming  next.  Everyone  was  soon  busy  in  making 
preparations  for  breakfast,  as  in  the  working  of  guns  in 
action  men  become  very  hungry.  I  know  it  was  my  own 
condition,  and  I  began  looking  around  for  something  to 
eat.  After  eating  we  examined  the  ammunition  chests  and 
sponge-buckets  and  found  them  well  filled  and  everything 
in  the  battery  ready  for  action.  All  was  quiet  until  one 
o'clock,  when  two  guns  on  the  right  of  Lee's  line  opened, 
and,  in  an  instant,  the  whole  line  of  artillery  was  blazing 
like  a  volcano.  There  appeared  to  be  but  one  flash,  and 
those  simultaneous  reports  pealed  out  deafening  salvos, 
and  were  grand  and  impressive  beyond  description.  Tt 
seemed  as  if,  without  a  moment's  warning,  the  heavens 
had  opened,  and  the  Fnion  soldiers  found  themselves  in  a 
pitiless  storm  of  shot  and  shell  which  burst  and  tore  up  the 
ground  in  all  directions,  dealing  out  death  and  destruction 
on  every  side.  So  terrific  was  the  cannonade  from  one 
hundred  and  forty  guns  on  Seminary  Ridge  that  the  earth 
shook  and  trembled,  and  the  air  was  darkened  by  the  heavy 
clouds  of  smoke  which  overhung  the  sky.  In  an  instant 
every  man  was  at  his  post,  and  eighty  Union  guns,  which 
were  all  that  could  be  worked  on  Cemetery  Ridge,  were  do 
ing  all  in  their  power  to  discomfit  the  rebels.  It  is  doubtful 
if  any  part  of  the  globe  ever  heard  such  a  roar  of  artillery 
as  was  heard  for  nearly  two  hours  on  Cemetery  Ridge.  Our 
chests  were  soon  running  low  for  want  of  ammunition, 
and  it  was  found  advisable  to  cease  from  firing  to  a  certain 
extent  in  order  to  husband  our  supply,  as  it  was  evident 
that  something  was  to  follow  such  an  outburst  from  the 
enemy's  lines.  The  supreme  moment  of  all,  however,  came 
about  three  o'clock.  All  the  officers  on  our  lines,  from  the 


212  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R,    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [Julyr 

generals  down,  set  themselves  to  work  repairing  the  dam 
age  caused  by  the  cannonade,  reforming  ranks,  replacing 
dismantled  guns,  rectifying  positions,  exhorting  the  men  to 
stand  firm,  and,  in  short,  themselves  offering  the  best  exam 
ples  of  coolness  and  soldierly  conduct.  Our  corps  Avas  sta 
tioned  along  the  left  centre  as  follows,  from  right  to  left : 
On  our  extreme  right  and  a  little  over  three  hundred  yards 
distant  was  Ziegler's  Grove,  in  which  was  Woodruff's 
battery  supported  by  the  One  Hundred  and  Eighth  New 
York ;  next  in  line,  along  the  stonewall,  running  north  and 
south,  were  the  Thirty- ninth  and  One  Hundred  and  Twenty- 
sixth  New  York,  Twelfth  New  Jersey,  First  Delaware  and 
Fourteenth  Connecticut,  supported  by  the  One  Hundred  and 
Eleventh  and  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-fifth  New  York, 
with  the  Eighth  Ohio,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Sawyer, 
posted  directly  in  front  across  the  Emmitsburg  road,  about 
which  I  will  speak  later ;  next  came  our  battery.  Here  the 
stonewall  turned  a  sharp  corner  at  the  extreme  left  of 
Hays's  Third  Division,  the  turn  running  one  hundred  yards 
west,  and  then  turning  south  again.  Here  our  Second 
Division,  under  General  Gibbon,  was  placed,  beginning  with 
the  Seventy-first  Pennsylvania ;  Cushing's  Battery  A, 
Fourth  United  States  Artillery,  supported  by  the  Seventy- 
second  Pennsylvania;  then  the  Sixty-ninth  Pennsylvania; 
and  Brown's  Battery  B,  First  Rhode  Island,  supported  by 
the  Forty-second  New  York  and  Nineteenth  Massachusetts, 
and  alongside  the  rail  fence.  Here  also  were  the  Fifty-ninth 
New  York,  Seventh  Michigan,  Twentieth  Massachusetts, 
and  Korty's  New  York  battery;  then  still  farther  along  the 
fence  were  the  Nineteenth  Maine,  Fifteenth  Massachusetts, 
First  Minnesota,  Eighty- second  New  York,  Twentieth  New 
York,  and  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-first  Pennsylvania. 
On  their  left  was  the  Vermont  brigade  of  the  First  Corps. 
The  brigades,  from  right  to  left,  were  Sherrill's,  Smyth's, 
Webb's,  Hall's,  and  Harrow's,  with  the  First  Division  of 
the  Second  Corps  on  the  left  of  the  Vermont  brigade.  The 


1863.]  GETTYSBURG  213 

main  fury  of  the  cannonade  fell  upon  the  batteries  of  the 
Second  Corps,  occupying  the  ground  which  Longstreet's 
columns  were  at  that  moment  forming  to  assault;  and  well 
did  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Second  Corps  stand  their 
ground  against  a  force  of  fifteen  thousand  or  more  picked 
men  from  among  the  flower  of  the  Southern  army.  During 
the  cannonade  our  infantry  hung  close  to  the  wall  and 
fence,  keeping  down  as  much  as  possible.  At  this  crisis, 
Pickett  (Confederate)  was  watching  the  effect  of  our  artil 
lery  lire,  when  a  courier  brought  him  word  from  the  Con 
federate  batteries  that  if  lie  was  to  make  the  contemplated 
charge  the  time  had  come,  as  the  Union  guns  had  slackened 
their  fire.  After  reading  the  dispatch  himself,  he  handed 
it  to  Longstreet,  who  was  at  his  side.  Longstreet  being  very 
much  opposed  to  the  charge,  had  tried  in  every  way  that  lay 
in  his  power  to  induce  Lee  to  abandon  his  project,  but  to  no 
purpose.  Then  said  Pickett,  "General,  shall  I  advance?" 
Mastered  by  his  emotions,  Longstreet  turned  short  away 
without  replying.  "I  shall  lead  1113'  division  forward,  sir/' 
was  Pickett's  exclamation.  As  the  charging  column  passed 
through  the  artillery  to  the  froixt  three  batteries  of  eighteen 
guns  followed  close  behind  in  support.  Whoever  witnessed 
that  charge,  friend  and  foe  alike,  must  bear  testimony  to 
the  steadiness  with  which  this  gallant  band  met  the  ordeal 
by  much  the  hardest  that  falls  to  the  soldier's  lot,  of  having 
to  endure  a  terrible  fire  without  the  power  of  returning  it. 
No  sooner  had  the  long  gray  lines  come  within  range  than 
our  batteries  opened  upon  them,  right  and  left,  for  a  quar 
ter  of  an  hour.  The  march  was  kept  up  in  the  face  of  a 
storm  of  missiles,  and  Cemetery  Ridge  was  lighted  up  by  the 
flashes  of  the  guns.  Little  Round  Top  struck  in  sharply, 
while  smoke  and  flame  belched  from  our  batteries  along 
Cemetery  Ridge.  Solid  shot  tore  through  the  rebel  ranks; 
shells  were  bursting  under  their  feet,  over  their  heads  and 
in  their  faces.  Men,  or  fragments  of  men,  were  being 
thrown  in  the  air  every  moment,  but,  closing  up  the  gaps 


214  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [July, 

and  leaving  swaths  of  dead  and  dying  in  their  tracks,  these 
brave  men  still  kept  up  their  march  to  the  front,  as  if  con 
scious  that  the  eyes  of  both  armies  were  upon  them.  They 
had  been  told  that  our  artillery  was  silenced.  As  soon  as 
the  enemy's  guns  could  open  without  injury  to  their  own 
men  they  began  again,  and  the  shells  came  screeching 
through  the  air  and  bounding  over  the  ground  without  in 
termission,  a  dense  smoke  shutting  out  the  assailants  from 
view.  By  the  protection  of  this  redoubtable  fire  from  their 
batteries,  they  continued  their  deliberate  march,  and  when 
just  a  little  across  the  Emmitsburg  road,  their  attacking 
column  suddenly  made  a  left  flank  movement,  seemingly 
to  close  up  the  break  in  their  lines.  By  this  movement 
Pickett's  column  received  its  first  fire  from  Stannard's 
Vermont  brigade  on  our  left,  who  had,  upon  seeing  the 
enemy's  move,  made  a  right  wheel  from  the  line  to  receive 
them,  and,  as  soon  as  Pickett's  column  faced  to  the  front 
for  the  purpose  of  resuming  their  advance  on  the  centre, 
Stannard's  brigade  kept  up  its  deadly  fire  upon  their  flank ; 
and,  to  the  writer's  mind,  this  brigade  was  what  put  Wil- 
cox's  (Confederate)  brigade  out  of  order,  and  caused  it  to 
go  astray.  During  all  this  time  the  men  of  the  Second 
Division  of  the  Second  Corps,  were  holding  their  fire,  being 
cautioned  by  their  commander.  Gibbon,  and  also  by  brigade 
commanders  who  passed  up  and  doAvn  the  line  telling  them 
to  hold  their  fire.  It  was  the  trying  moment  of  their  lives. 
Our  batteries  were  exerting  themselves  to  their  utmost, 
but  still  the  rebel  column  came  on.  At  length,  when  within 
two  hundred  yards,  Webb's  brigade  holding  the  so-called 
bloody  angle  at  the  stonewall,  and  Hall's  brigade  joining 
them  on  the  left,  opened  a  deadly  fire  upon  the  advancing 
column.  The  Fourteenth  Connecticut,  First  Delaware,  and 
Twelfth  New  Jersey,  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-sixth  and 
Thirty-ninth  New  York  were  the  regiments  that  comprised 
Smyth's  brigade.  General  Hays,  as  usual,  went  up  and 
down  the  line,  giving  orders  as  if  on  parade.  Of  the  Con- 


/    /   /  /    /w       ...^J*»*?J,  <5?     •••'*. 


"'"V 

t  '"'$(*, I 

I    I   /    HHFj-J:  /  ^ 


1863.]  GETTYSBURG  215 

federated  line  of  charge  Garnett  and  Kemper,  of  Pickett's 
division,  were  in  the  front  line  with  Armistead  in  support. 
These  troops  came  direct  for  Webb's  brigade  at  the  angle 
of  the  wall,  while  on  their  left  Pettigrew's  division  of  North 
Carolinians  were  directly  in  front  of  our  battery,  on  which 
the  writer  was  working  on  the  left  gun  at  the  corner  of  the 
wall,  called  the  bloody  angle.  Every  gun  of  the  Second 
Corps  then  belched  forth  its  deadly  missiles.  McGilvray's 
and  Hazlitt's  batteries  on  our  left  got  in  a  flank  fire  on 
Pickett's  column  as  they  advanced  on  Hancock's  position. 
The  point  of  attack  was  the  clump  of  trees  where  the  wall 
was  lowest  and  fifty  yards  in  advance  of  the  wall  where 
Hays's  troops  were  posted.  It  was  in  the  angle  of  this 
wall  that  one  section  of  Cushing's  battery  had  been  ad 
vanced,  also  one  section  of  Brown's  (B)  Rhode  Island  bat 
tery  on  the  left  of  Cushing's.  These  were  the  guns  cap 
tured  by  the  enemy  after  carrying  the  wall.  The  first  shock 
of  the  charge  was  felt  by  the  Sixty-ninth  and  Seventy-first 
Pennsylvania,  regiments  at  the  low  wall.  These  regiments 
broke  and  were  forced  back,  and  a  hand  to-hand  fight  be 
gan.  The  Seventy-second  Pennsylvania,  which  had  been  ly 
ing  back  of  the  clump  of  trees,  between  Cushing's  and 
Brown's  batteries,  came  to  the  front  by  a  right  oblique 
charge,  and  was  soon  in  close  proximity  with  its  sister 
regiments,  and  at  the  same  time  all  of  Gibbon's  regiments, 
lying  along  the  wall  to  the  left,  started  to  the  relief  of 
Webb's  brigade,  and  the  fighting  there  was  of  the  most  des 
perate  character  ever  witnessed.  Garnett  was  killed,  and 
Armistead,  with  his  brigade  in  support,  came  to  the  front 
arid  forced  his  men  up  to  Cushing's  guns  where  he  fell  mor 
tally  wounded.  Every  field  officer  in  Pickett's  division  ex 
cept  himself  and  one  lieutenant-colonel  fell,  and  our  line 
was  broken  at  Webb's  Pennsylvania  brigade.  This  was  the 
only  place  where  they  succeeded  in  breaking  the  line. 
These  troops  were  Pickett's  Virginia  brigade,  who,  it  is 
claimed,  came  farthest  into  our  lines.  This  is  not  so; 


216  BATTER r    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [July, 

for  Pettigrew's  North  Carolina  troops  came  more  than 
twenty  yards  farther  on  the  outside  of  the  angle  and  up  to 
the  wall  running  north  and  south  in  front  of  our  battery, 
where  they  were  killed  and  captured  in  great  numbers,  but 
did  not  cross  the  wall. 

One  of  the  guns  of  Battery  A  was  double-shotted  with 
canister.  Private  William  C.  Barker  was  No.  4.  and  he 
stood  holding  the  lanyard  which  was  attached  to  the  primer 
to  fire  the  piece,  and,  as  a  regiment  of  Pettigrew's  brigade 
(the  Twenty-sixth  North  Carolina)  was  charging  the  posi 
tion  held  by  the  battery  and  the  Fourteenth  Connecticut 
and  First  Delaware  regiments  of  infantry,  and  had  almost 
reached  the  wall  just  in  front  of  us,  Sergt.  Amos  M.  C. 

Olney  cried  out :  "Barker,  why  the  d 1  don't  you  fire 

that  gun!  pull!  pull!"  The  No.  4  obeyed  orders  and  the 
gap  made  in  that  North  Carolina  regiment  was  simply  ter 
rible.  Armistead  had  just  fallen,  and  Pickett's  charge  had 
failed.  This  Avas  the  last  shot  fired  from  our  battery  when 
the  rebels  broke  in  retreat,  and  Gettysburg  was  won. 

Smyth's  brigade  was  then  commanded  by  Colonel  Pierce 
of  the  One  Hundred  and  Eighth  New  York,  Smyth  having 
been  wounded  by  the  artillery  duel  before  the  charge  took 
place.  The  Fourteenth  Connecticut,  First  Delaware  and 
Twelfth  New  Jersey,  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-sixth  and 
Thirty-ninth  New  York,  with  Battery  A,  First  Rhode  Island, 
poured  in  such  a  deadly  fire  that  the  troops  of  Pettigrew, 
seeing  no  way  of  escape,  dropped  their  guns  and  fell  on 
their  faces  near  the  wall,  and  were  there  captured.  The 
Twenty-sixth  North  Carolina  regiment  lost  82.6  per  cent, 
of  their  men.  Lane  and  Scales's  brigades  of  Randall's 
division  now  forced  themselves  to  the  front  from  Pickett's 
rear  and  began  the  attack  anew,  but  soon  saw  that  their 
last  hope  was  gone,  and  turned  and  tried  to  escape,  some 
throwing  themselves  upon  the  ground  for  safety.  Wright, 
Thomas,  and  McGowau  of  Pickett's  column  now  advanced 
to  cover  the  retreat  or  crown  the  victory  in  case  they  were 


1863.]  GETTYSBURG  217 

successful,  and,  for  about  ten  minutes,  these  brigades  at 
nearly  two  hundred  yards  from  our  line  poured  upon  us  an 
unremitting  fire.  Some  of  our  batteries  ran  out  of  ammu 
nition,  and  others  went  in  to  take  their  places.  One  section 
of  Weir's  battery  went  in  between  Gushing  and  our  bat 
tery  just  in  time  to  fire  a  few  shots,  while  the  enemy 
were  falling  back,  and  Cowan's  battery  going  in  a  little 
sooner  took  the  place  of  Brown's  battery  B  (First  Rhode 
Island).  Wheeler's  and  Kenzie's  batteries  also  went  in  in 
time  to  give  a  few  shots  before  the  enemy  were  out  of  range. 
When  the  charge  was  at  its  height,  the  surging  masses  of 
the  enemy  came  rolling  up  like  the  waves  on  a  rocky  shore, 
firing,  screeching,  brandishing  swords  and  battle-flags;  at 
one  time  covered  by  smoke,  the  next  moment  emerging  still 
nearer.  Officers  became  separated  from  their  men,  and, 
\vith  uplifted  swords,  rushed  madly  up  and  down,  calling 
to  their  men  to  follow.  One  after  another  they  fell.  Here 
was  what  might  be  called  individual  examples  of  heroism. 
This  was  the  only  element  which  would  count  at  this 
time,  and  it  was  not  lacking.  One  thought,  one  purpose, 
seemed  to  animate  them,  that  was  that  they  must  either 
conquer  or  die.  In  this  manner  one  portion  of  the  enemy 
overwhelmed  the  first  Union  line  and  drove  its  defenders 
back  upon  the  second  line.  Then  the  struggle  was  re 
newed.  The  rebels  made  a  rush  for  Cushing's  gun,  which 
had  just  fired  its  last  shot  into  their  faces;  and,  as  if  vic 
tory  was  assured,  already  had  raised  their  cry  of  triumph 
on  the  disputed  summit.  At  this  crisis  our  battery  opened 
with  canister,  which  caused  havoc  in  their  ranks,  but  only 
for  a  moment,  for  all  was  over  and  the  enemy  was  defeated. 
They  threw  themselves  on  the  ground  and  were  captured  in 
great  numbers  with  their  colors. 

At  this  point  in  the  battle  the  Second  Corps  went  for 
ward  and  gathered  up  prisoners  and  battle-flags.  Four 
thousand  prisoners  and  thirty-three  standards  were  the 
fruits  of  its  victory.  Among  the  most  remarkable  fea- 


218  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [July, 

tures  of  this  famous  assault  was  the  conduct  of  the  Eighth 
Ohio.  This  regiment,  under  Lieut.-Col.  Franklin  Sawyer, 
had  been  for  nearly  twenty-four  hours  on  the  skirmish  line, 
in  front  of  Hays's  division,  across  the  Emmitsburg  road. 
When  the  great  charge  took  place,  instead  of  retiring  to  the 
division  line,  Colonel  Sawyer  collected  his  regiment  at  a 
point  just  far  enough  outside  the  path  of  Pettigrew's  ad 
vance  to  escape  the  Confederate  column.  After  Pettigrew's 
repulse,  Colonel  Sawyer  again  threw  forward  his  men  as 
skirmishers,  and  gathered  in  a  large  number  of  prisoners, 
with  three  colors.  So  audacious  was  the  action  of  this 
regiment  as  to  give  rise  to  an  absurd  report  among  those 
who  witnessed  it,  but  did  not  know  the  Eighth  Ohio,  that 
its  commander  was  intoxicated.  Those  who  did  know  the 
Eighth  Ohio,  however,  were  Avell  aware  that  this  was  the 
very  sort  of  thing  which  it  was  most  likely  to  do  in  such  a 
case. 

At  a  critical  stage  in  the  battle  the  battery  Avas  nearly 
out  of  ammunition,  when  Captain  Arnold  sent  that  fearless 
soldier,  John  F.  Leach,  our  guidon  bearer  to  General  Hunt, 
chief  of  artillery  with  the  request  for  more  ammunition  or 
else  for  another  battery.  Leach  had  great  difficulty  in 
finding  him;  but  at  last  found  him  below  the  Taneytown 
road.  He  inquired  of  Leach  what  he  wanted,  and  Leach 
replied:  "I  am  instructed  by  Captain  Arnold  to  request 
you  to  send  him  more  ammunition  or  else  another  battery/' 
He  wTas  told  by  the  general  to  find  Capt.  John  G.  Hazard 
or  Lieut.  Gamaliel  L.  Dwight,  and  they  would  attend  to  his 
needs.  After  searching  in  vain  for  those  officers,  he  rode 
back  to  General  Hunt  and  reported  that  he  could  not  find 
either  of  those  officers,  whereupon  he  was  ordered  to  make 
another  attempt  to  find  them,  but  was  unsuccessful.  Again 
returning  he  reported  to  the  general  the  result  of  his  efforts. 
General  Hunt  then  gave  him  a  written  order  to  have  a  bat 
tery  from  the  reserves  go  to  the  relief  of  the  sorely  pressed 
batteries  on  the  firing  line. 


1863.]  GETTYSBURG  219 

As  far  as  artillery  was  concerned  I  think  it  was  handled 
the  poorest  I  ever  saw  in  any  battle.  It  may  be  on  account 
of  there  being  such  an  extensive  view  on  this  field  I  could 
see  the  battle  to  better  advantage  than  any  other  I  had 
ever  witnessed.  It  is  true  that  Cemetery  Ridge  would  not 
admit  as  many  guns  upon  it  as  Lee's  position  on  Seminary 
Ridge,  yet  between  our  battery  and  Woodruff's  on  our  right 
in  Ziegler's  Grove  there  was  space  enough  for  three  bat 
teries,  and  there  was  not  one  there  until  it  was  too  late  to 
be  of  much  service  as  the  enemy  was  retreating. 

Our  battery  lost  in  this  battle  four  killed  and  twenty- 
eight  wounded.  Killed:  John  Zhnla,  acting  No.  1  on  No, 
0  gun,  head  shot  off;  Patrick  Lannegan,  lead  driver  of  No.  (> 
gun,  mortally  wounded;  and  John  Higgins,  driver  also  mor 
tally  wounded,  having  his  arm  and  shoulder  torn  off;  Sim 
eon  Creamer,  driver,  attached  man  from  the  Twelfth  New 
Jersey,  had  his  skull  fractured  while  working  on  No.  (> 
gun.  The  others  wounded  were  Lieut.  Jacob  Lamb,  in  the 
hand;  Sergt.  Benjamin  H.  Child,  severely  in  arm;  Corp. 
Wesley  B.  Calder,  in  side  and  back;  Corp.  Edward  Shaw, 
slightly  in  shoulder;  Privates  Michael  Grady,  leg  off;  Gil 
bert  F.  Harrison,  in  foot;  Michael  Marker,  in  shoulder; 
Horace  M.  Curtis,  in  foot;  Eugene  Googin,  in  arm;  Charles 
Cargill,  in  leg;  George  A.  Wellman,  in  elbow;  Edward  Mor- 
rissey,  in  leg;  George  Hathaway,  in  shoulder;  John  S.  Chap 
man,  attached  man  from  the  Fifty-second  New  York,  in 
hip ;  Charles  Stopple,  attached  man  from  the  Fifty-second 
New  York;  Emerson  Middleton,  in  leg;  William  Dawson, 
attached  man  from  Tenth  New  York  Independent  Battery, 
in  arm ;  Morris  Torndorf,  attached  man  from  Twelfth  New 
Jersey,  in  leg;  Corp.  Oliver  S.  Oaks,  attached  man  from 
Fifteenth  Massachusetts,  in  arm.  There  were  two  attached 
men  who  were  never  accounted  for;  whether  they  were 
wounded  or  not  is  a  question  the  writer  has  never  been  able 
to  answer. 

It  is  a  singular  coincidence  that  every  man  in  the  battery 


220  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    J.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [July, 

who  was  killed  was  a  driver.  Two  of  them  were  working 
the  guns  when  killed.  Lannegan,  my  lead  driver,  was  hold 
ing  his  horses  when  shot.  As  our  battery  Avas  being  re 
lieved  at  that  time.,  and  just  as  the  enemy  were  retreating 
down  the  hill,  Lannegan  begged  me  to  take  him  from  the 
field.  Lieutenant  Lamb  put  a  man  in  charge  of  my  horses, 
and  I  took  Lannegan  on  my  back  and  carried  him  to  the 
hospital,  remaining  with  him  until  I  had  placed  him  on  the 
operating  table.  When  it  was  found  that  his  stomach  re 
fused  whisky  the  surgeons  would  not  operate  upon  him,  and 
he  was  laid  out  to  die.  I  entreated  the  surgeons  to  give 
him  proper  treatment,  but  it  Avas  of  no  avail.  The  Sisters 
of  Mercy,  who  Avere  at  the  hospital,  took  charge  of  him.  I 
gave  Sergt.  Benjamin  H.  Child,  and  other  comrades  who 
had  been  wounded,  all  the  assistance  in  my  power,  and  then 
returned  to  the  battery. 

The  Second  Corps  took  less  than  ten  thousand  men  into 
the  fight,  and  lost  4,350;  of  whom  349  were  commissioned 
officers,  with  308  missing.  The  corps  captured  in  the  two 
days'  fighting  4,500  prisoners.  Gibbon's  division  lost  1,634; 
CaldAvell's,  1,269;  Hays's,  1,291;  artillery  brigade,  149; 
headquarters  cavalry,  4.  The  brigades  which  suffered  most 
Avere  the  First  (HarroAv's)  Brigade,  Second  Division,  764; 
Third  Brigade  (WillarcTs),  Third  Division,  714;  Second 
Brigade,  Second  Division  (Webb's)^  482;  the  First,  Third 
and  Fourth  Brigades  of  the  First  Division,  and  the  Third 
Brigade  of  the  Second  Division,  and  the  Second  Brigade  of 
the  Third  Division  lost  about  330  to  383. 

The  losses  of  both  armies  in  this  great  battle  Avere  ATery 
large.  The  returns  shoAV  for  the  Union  army:  Killed, 
3,072;  Avounded,  14,497;  missing,  5,434;  total,  23,003.  For 
the  Confederate  army:  Killed,  2,592;  Avounded,*  12,709; 
missing,  5,150;  total,  20,451.  The  Confederate  returns  of 
losses  Avere  very  defective,  as  many  of  Lee's  divisions  made 
no  returns.  From  Avhat  has  been  learned  from  prominent 
officers  of  Lee's  army  they  estimate  their  entire  loss  at 
35,000  men. 


1863.]  GETTYSBURG  221 

The  morning  of  July  4th  was  fair  and  cool.  We  were 
encamped  nearly  two  miles  from  the  battlefield,  among 
great  rocks  and  boulders,  that  section  of  the  country  being 
very  rough.  As  soon  as  I  could  get  away  from  the  battery, 

1  went  up  to  the  hospital  and  saw  the  boys,  and  then  went 
over  to  view  the  battlefield,  and  must  say  that  on  some  por 
tions  of  the  field  the  sights  were  sickening,  although  they 
were  gathering  and  burying  the  dead  as  quickly  as  possible. 
There  was  no  firing  of  any  kind,  and  our  soldiers  were  well 
out  on  the  field,  some  beyond  the  Emmitsburg  road.     I  went 
over  the  wall  in  front  of  our  position  and  found  the  ground 
covered   with    muskets.     Upon   picking   one  up   I   found   it 
was  loaded  and  cocked,  which  made  it  a  dangerous  weapon 
to  be  lying  around.     I  called  out  to  some  soldiers  near  by 
and  told  them  to  be  careful  with  the  guns,  then  stuck  the 
one  I  had  in  the  ground.     I  did  the  same  to  a  number  of 
other  muskets,  and  when  I  left  that  locality  it  very  much 
resembled   a   large   field   of  bean   poles,   as   every   one  who 
picked  up  a  musket,   after  looking  at  it,   stuck   it  in  the 
ground.     The  enemy  seemed  to  be  in  about  the  same  posi 
tion  as  on  the  2d  and  3d.     I  was  not  allowed  to  go  much 
below  the  artillery  line.     Guns  from  the  reserve  artillery 
were  in   position   near  us,   and  the  artillery   of  the   Sixth 
Corps  also.     I  saw  one  of  Battery  B's  guns  in  a  field  not 
far  from  their  last  position  with  a  shell  in  the  muzzle  where 
it  had  been  wedged  in  by  a  shell  from  the  enemy  just  as  Xo. 

2  had  put  it  into  the  gun  and  Xo.  1  was  about  to  ram  it 
home.      When  it  struck,  both  men  were  killed.      William 
Jones  was  acting  Xo.  1,  and  Alfred  G.  Gardner  Xo.  2.     The 
shell  exploded  the  instant  it  struck  the  gun.     Besides  the 
shell  in  its  muzzle,  the  gun  was  ploughed  across  one  side 
from  the  right  and  rear  and  a  number  of  marks  were  made 
on  the  spokes  and  trail,  and  one  of  the  spokes  was  entirely 
shot  away.     The  most  of  the  marks  were  from  the  right  and 
rear  where  our  artillery  kept  up  a  constant  fire  of  canister 
while  the  rebels  held  it.     One  of  Cushing's  guns  that  was 


222  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    T.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [July, 

advanced  to  the  front  was  also  badly  cut  from  the  rear,  as 
our  left  section  kept  a  steady  fire  of  cajiister  on  it  as  long- 
as  the  rebels  were  near  it.  L'ieutenant  Gushing  was  buried 
that  morning  not  far  from  our  camp,  also  my  lead  driver, 
Lannegan,  near  the  hospital.  A  detachment  from  our  bat 
tery  went  over  to  bury  our  dead,  but  found  that  they  had 
already  been  buried  by  Battery  C  of  our  regiment.  Our 
army  was  engaged  in  this  gruesome  occupation  all  day 
long,  and  it  was  reported  that  the  rebel  prisoners  had  been 
made  to  bury  their  dead  within  the  Union  lines.  We  had 
a  shower  that  night,  which  seemed  to  be  trying  to  represent 
yesterday's  terrible  battle.  The  thunder  was  as  heavy  as 
I  had  ever  heard,  and  the  flashes  of  lightning  were  most 
vivid,  the  rain  pouring  down  as  copiously  as  I  had  ever  wit 
nessed.  It  was  reported  that  our  Eleventh  Corps  was  in 
Gettysburg  and  that  the  rebel  army  was  retreating. 

The  Gettysburg  campaign  commenced  June  3d  and  ended 
Aug.  1,  1863.  In  that  time  there  were  115  battles,  engage 
ments,  actions,  and  skirmishes.  In  all  these  the  loss  was : 
Killed,  wounded,  and  missing :  Union  army,  31,997 ;  Con 
federate  army,  38,200.  Forces  engaged :  Army  of  the  Po 
tomac  :  Effective  force,  98,475 ;  actual  combatants,  92,725. 
Army  of  Northern  Virginia:  Effective  force,  91,109;  act 
ual  combatants,  88,100. 

During  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  Capt.  William  A.  Arnold, 
commanding  Battery  A,  First  Rhode  Island  Light  Artil 
lery,  displayed  good  judgment  and  coolness  in  handling  his 
battery,  while  Lieutenants  Peter  Hunt,  Jacob  H.  Lamb 
(the  latter  being  wounded  in  the  hand)  and  James  P. 
Rhodes,  ably  assisted  Captain  Arnold  and  rendered  im 
portant  service  on  that  occasion. 


1863.]  LEE'S  RETREAT  223 


CHAPTER  XIV 

GETTYSBURG   TO   THE   RAPPAHAXXOCK. 

OX  tlie  morning  of  the  5th  of  July  we  found  that  the 
shower  of  the  night  before  had  cooled  the  at 
mosphere,  which  had  a  bracing  effect  upon  us  all. 
It  had  been  a  fearful  night  for  our  poor  wounded  men  who 
had  been  lying  out  in  the  storm  all  night  long.  It  was  re 
ported  that  some  of  the  wounded  were  found  lying  in  the 
water  from  two  to  four  inches  deep.  The  rebel  army  was 
in  full  retreat,  with  the  Sixth  Corps  and  our  cavalry  in  hot 
pursuit.  The  Fifth  Corps  pursued  them  on  another  road. 
About  noon  what  remained  of  Battery  B  came  to  our  camp, 
bag  and  baggage,  as  there  were  only  about  men  enough  left 
of  both  batteries  to  make  one  good  one.  Our  ammunition 
chests  were  all  refilled,  and  everything  was  in  readiness  to 
meet  the  enemy  again.  About  seven  o'clock  that  evening 
we  hitched  up,  broke  camp  and  proceeded  to  what  was 
called  by  some  Littleton  or  Two  Taverns,  having  marched 
about  six  miles.  We  went  into  camp  not  far  from  nine 
o'clock. 

The  morning  of  the  6th  was  very  wet,  and  we  had  some 
difficulty  in  getting  fires  started.  The  country  was  rough 
and  rocky,  but  pleasant  withal,  and  I  would  have  preferred 
to  remain  there  rather  than  to  go  back  to  Virginia. 

On  the  7th,  after  breakfast,  about  eight  o'clock,  we 
hitched  up  and  marched  for  Taneytown,  a  distance  of  seven 
miles  or  thereabouts.  It  was  showery  all  that  day.  Our 
corps  was  assigned  the  rear  on  account,  it  was  said,  of  the 
heavy  losses  it  had  sustained  in  the  battle,  it  being  the  pur 
pose  to  give  us  an  opportunity  to  recuperate  from  the  ter 
rible  ordeal  to  which  we  had  been  subjected.  We  passed 


224  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [July, 

by  a  grove  just  before  reaching  the  town,  in  which  a  thou 
sand  rebel  prisoners  were  being  guarded,  who  had  been 
taken  by  our  troops  that  morning.  The  Twelfth  Corps 
passed  by  us  that  day.  Gen.  William  Hays  had  been  tem 
porarily  assigned  to  the  command  of  our  corps  during  the 
absence  of  General  Hancock  who  had  been  severely 
wounded  at  Gettysburg. 

On  the  8th  the  weather  looked  dark  in  the  morning,  and 
before  we  had  marched  far  it  began  to  rain  hard  and  con 
tinued  to  do  so  all  day.  We  broke  camp  about  7.30  and 
made  a  quick,  hard  march  of  it,  crossing  Big  and  Little 
Pipe  Creek,  where  Meade  had  planned  to  fight  Lee  and  had 
begun  to  throw  up  earthworks  there.  We  passed  through 
Woodsborough  and  Walkersville,  halting  in  a  very  large 
field  of  oats  some  three  miles  from  Frederick  City.  Our 
horses  feasted  on  oats  during  our  stay  there.  WTe  marched 
about  twenty-five  miles  that  day.  The  surrender  of  Vicks- 
burg  was  read  to  us  while  on  the  road. 

On  the  9th  the  weather  was  fine  and  quite  warm.  After 
a  quick  breakfast  we  broke  camp  about  seven  o'clock,  pass 
ing  through  Frederick  City  where  we  saw  the  famous 
Seventh  New  York  getting  breakfast  with  their  broadcloth 
uniforms  on,  which  were  looking  rather  worse  for  wear. 
Leaving  Frederick  we  crossed  the  western  slope  of  Catoctin 
Mountain  to  Jefferson.  On  passing  through  the  towrn  we 
turned  north  and  crossed  the  Catoctin  Creek  to  Burkeville, 
where  we  halted  for  an  hour  or  more  to  let  the  troops  get 
ahead.  As  we  left  Frederick  City  we  saw  the  body  of  a 
celebrated  spy  hanging  to  a  tree.  The  deed  had  been  com 
mitted  by  our  cavalry.  It  was  said  to  have  been  Richard 
son.,  one  of  the  most  noted  spies  of  the  Confederacy.  He 
went  in  and  out  of  Washington,  and  dined  with  all  classes. 
If  it  was  Richardson,  our  cavalry  had  rendered  important 
service  in  ridding  the  country  of  such  a  dangerous  foe.  On 
resuming  the  inarch  we  went  over  South  Mountain  and 
through  Crampton's  Gap.  We  passed  over  the  battlefield 


CAPT.  ELMER  L.  CORTHELL. 

Enrolled   as   Private  Battery  A;     Sergeant   Battery    F;     Second    Lieutenant 
Battery  H  ;  First  Lieutenant  Battery  G  ;  Captain  Battery  D. 

NOTE. — Left  Brown  University  to  serve  in  the  Civil  War,  returned  after  the  war  and 
graduated  at  that  University  in  1867  as  B.  A.  The  following  year  the  degree  of  M.  A.  was 
•conferred  upon  him,  and  in  1894  the  degree  of  D.  Sc.  He  is  a  distinguished  civil  engineer. 
Many  and  varied  are  the  works  that  have  been  constructed  under  his  supervision  ;  among  them 
may  be  mentioned  the  construction  of  the  jetties  at  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi  River ;  in  1887- 
'88  was  engaged  in  constructing  the  Cairo  Bridge  over  the  Ohio  River,  for  the  Illinois  Central 
Railroad,  the  longest  steel  bridge  in  the  world.  He  is  without  doubt  one  of  the  leading  civil 
•engineers  in  the  world. 


1863.]  LEE'S  RETREAT  225 

of  Sept.  14,  1862,  where  Franklin,  with  his  Sixth  Corps,  en 
gaged  the  Confederate  General  Anderson's  forces.  After 
passing  the  gap  onr  battery  kept  on  to  within  a  short  dis 
tance  from  Sharpsburg  and  halted  for  the  night  at  what  is 
called  Rohrersville,  after  a  hard  march  of  eighteen  miles 
over  a  rough  road. 

On  the  10th  we  were  routed  out  at  four  o'clock,  and,  al 
though  the  weather  was  fine  again,  for  some  reason  we  did 
not  leave  the  camp  until  after  seven.  We  passed  through 
Rohrersville,  Buena  Vista,  then  on  to  Keedysville.  Moving 
north  we  crossed  the  creek  and  battlefield  of  Antietam,  and 
went  into  camp  about  three  miles  beyond  at  a  place  called 
Tilghmanton.  General  French,  who  was  ordered  to  hold 
Frederick  City,  had  reoccupied  Harper's  Ferry,  destroyed 
Lee's  pontoon  train  at  Williamsport  and  Falling  Waters, 
and  captured  the  Confederate  guards  stationed  there.  He 
then  occupied  the  lower  passes  for  which  our  army  was 
marching  to  take  possession. 

The  llth  was  a  beautiful  day,  clear  and  warm.  We  broke 
camp  about  nine  o'clock,  and  marched  towards  Williams 
port,  where  we  found  Lee's  army  at  bay,  with  the  river  out 
of  its  banks.  He  had  no  bridge  and  was  not  overstocked 
with  rations  or  ammunition,  and  it  looked  as  if  we  had  him 
sure  that  time.  We  expected  a  battle  at  any  moment. 
This  Avas  the  occasion  when  Meade  should  have  grasped  the 
opportunity,  crushed  Lee  with  our  overpowering  forces  and 
ended  the  war.  Our  corps  went  into  line  of  battle  on  the 
left  of  the  Fifth  Corps,  our  battery  taking  position  with  the 
First  Division.  There  was  some  sharp  skirmishing,  and  at 
times  our  artillery  opened,  while  the  cavalry  was  making 
demonstrations  all  along  the  line.  This  place,  where  the 
roads  crossed,  was  called  Lapham's  Corners,  and  was  said 
to  be  about  six  miles  from  Sharpsburg,  Boonsborough,  and 
Hagerstown,  and  about  five  from  Williamsport.  Here  we 
bivouacked  for  the  night,  and,  as  we  were  not  allowed  to 
build  large  fires,  small  squads  of  men  could  be  seen  hover- 

15 


226  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [July, 

ing  around  small  fires  of  twigs,  striving  to  make  a  cup  of 
coffee,  toasting  pork,  or  making  lobscouse.  For  myself,  a 
cui)  of  coffee  and  a  piece  of  raw  pork  between  two  hard 
tack  was  a  good  supper. 

On  the  12th  there  was  no  reveille  sounded,  we  being  too 
near  the  enemy.  The  weather  was  fine.  We  hitched  up, 
and,  about  eight  o'clock,  took  a  new  position  near  our  First 
Division.  The  Fifth  Corps  moved  to  the  left,  which 
brought  our  corps  in  the  centre.  The  artillery  of  the  Fifth 
Corps  passed  us  that  afternoon.  We  had  a  heavy  shower 
about  five  o'clock  that  evening,  and  about  eight  o'clock 
again  changed  our  position  by  advancing  half  a  mile,  and 
where,  by  appearances  that  morning,  it  looked  as  if  there 
might  be  a  fight  near  at  hand.  The  Second  Corps,  although 
in  the  rear  while  on  the  march,  held  as  prominent  position 
as  any,  and  were  ready  for  the  fray. 

The  13th  was  a  wet,  disagreeable  morning.  It  had  rained 
through  the  night,  which  made  it  hard  traveling  for  both 
men  and  horses.  Such,  however,  is  a  soldier's  life,  and  to 
such  a  life  our  soldiers  had  become  hardened.  About  five 
o'clock  that  morning  our  guns  were  in  position  behind 
breastworks  which  had  been  thrown  up  during  the  night  by 
our  infantry.  There  were  three  fortified  lines,  and,  as  soon 
as  we  were  in  position,  we  prepared  for  action.  We  could 
see  the  enemy's  works,  which  looked  very  formidable,  and 
they  appeared  to  be  strengthening  them,  while  squads  of 
men  seemed  to  be  moving  about  preparing  for  an  attack 
or  getting  ready  to  retreat.  AYe  thought  it  strange  that  the 
rebels  had  made  no  attack  upon  us.  Darkness  coming  on 
we  bivouacked  on  the  field  under  arms,  ready  for  action 
when  the  order  should  come. 

The  14th  was  wet  and  disagreeable.  At  daybreak  our 
army  made  an  advance  along  the  whole  length  of  the  line 
on  a  reconnoissance  in  force  with  the  cavalry,  and,  to  the 
surprise  of  every  one,  found  that  the  rebels  had  fled.  About 
six  o'clock  we  received  marching  orders,  and,  after  stripping 


1863.]  LEE'S  RETREAT  227 

everything  from  the  gun  limbers,  took  the  Williainsburg 
pike.  The  roads  were  in  bad  condition  from  the  rain,  cans- 
ing  slow  progress.  We  came  upon  some  abandoned  cais 
sons  filled  with  ammunition,  which,  with  some  played-out 
horses  left  behind,  indicated  a  hasty  retreat.  We  made  a 
rapid  march  for  Falling  Waters,  where  Lee's  army  was 
crossing.  As  we  approached  that  place  a  fight  was  going 
on  between  Kilpatrick's  cavalry  and  Pettigrew's  brigade  of 
Lee's  rear  guard.  Kilpatrick  had  found  them  in  a  redoubt 
with  their  arms  stacked,  and  displaying  a  white  flag  for  sur 
render.  A  squadron  of  cavalry  was  sent  to  receive  the  sur 
render,  and,  when  drawn  up  in  line  within  twenty  feet  of 
the  breastwork,  the  rebels  seized  their  guns  and  poured  a 
volley  into  the  Union  ranks.  Some  of  the  horses  plunged 
furiously  and  fell  dead  near  the  top  of  the  works.  What 
was  left  of  the  squadron  fell  back  to  the  main  body  and 
dismounted,  then  started  out  for  the  rebels,  who  were  fiee 
ing  towards  the  river.  The  path  they  took  could  be  easily 
traced,  as  our  cavalry  killed  them  as  they  retreated.  The 
Michigan  men.  excited  with  revenge  for  the  cowardly  trick 
that  had  been  played  upon  them  by  the  rebels,  vowed  deeds 
of  vengeance.  As  the  Michiganders  were  excellent  shots 
they  made  fearful  havoc  in  the  ranks  of  the  enemy.  I 
walked  over  the  ground  and  saw  men  lying  dead  in  all 
positions.  One  man,  lying  behind  a  wall,  was  killed  in  the 
act  of  biting  oft'  a  cartridge;  one  was  under  a  scrubby  tree 
near  the  Avail  aiming  his  gun.,  when  he  was  instantly  killed, 
and  apparently  died  without  a  struggle. 

The  Second  Corps  coming  up  took  a  portion  of  the  rebels 
prisoners.  Our  cavalry  was  unwilling  to  stop  after  these 
prisoners  had  been  captured,  and  they  could  not  be  blamed 
after  beina'  so  deceived  bv  the  rebels.  It  was  the  most  das- 

O  «> 

tardly  act  that  had  ever  come  under  my  observation,  al 
though  I  had  heard  of  such  tricks  being  played.  The  proper 
thing  would  have  been  to  hung  every  one  of  them,  as  a 
soldier's  death  was  too  good  for  such  dastards.  There  were 


228  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R,    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [Julyr 

about  forty  men  and  horses  killed  and  wounded  by  the  reb 
els,  by  what  may  be  termed  a  cowardly  massacre.  Our  bat 
tery  remained  near  Falling  Waters  that  night,  and  biv 
ouacked  in  line  of  battle  during  a  heavy  rainstorm. 

On  the  15th  we  were  turned  out  at  daylight,  and,  after 
breakfast,  we  started  back  to  where  our  caissons  were,  ar 
riving  there  a  little  after  nine,  when  we  were  told  to  rest, 
as  we  had  some  hard  marching  before  us.  About  three 
p.  M.,  we  left  Lapham's  Corners,  passing  through  Tilghman- 
ton  and  over  part  of  the  battlefield  of  Antietam  to  Sharps- 
burg.  The  latter  town  still  showed  visible  signs  of  the 
struggle  enacted  there  on  the  17th  of  September,  1862. 
Passing  through  the  town  we  crossed  Antietam  Creek,  at 
the  old  iron  works,  and  moved  on  towards  the  mountains, 
and,  about  dark,  halted  near  the  foot  of  Maryland  Heights, 
where  the  Second  and  Twelfth  corps  were  encamped  for  the 
night. 

On  the  16th  the  weather  was  cloudy.  About  6.30  we 
broke  camp,  marching  along  the  canal,  passed  Harper's 
Ferry  and  Sandy  Hook,  and  went  into  camp  near  Weaver- 
ton,  a  pretty  village  in  Pleasant  Valley.  Every  available 
place  for  camping  was  taken.  Pontoon  bridges  were  being 
laid  at  Harper's  Ferry  and  Berlin.  News  of  the  surrender 
of  Port  Hudson,  and  the  occupation  of  Morris  Island  Iby 
our  troops,  were  read  to  us  in  line  that  evening.  Ironclad 
cars,  with  howitzers  mounted  on  them,  were  running  be 
tween  Harper's  Ferry  and  Washington.  Our  battery  began 
pitching  tents,  Avhich  looked  as  if  we  would  stay  there  for 
awhile. 

On  the  17th  reveille  was  sounded  at  5.30  A.  M.,  and  only 
regular  camp  duty  was  performed.  It  began  to  rain  at 
about  nine  o'clock  and  continued  steadily  until  about  two 
o'clock,  when  the  sun  came  out  and  gave  indications  of 
clear  weather,  which  appeared  to  cheer  up  the  boys  a  little, 
and  they  began  to  act  like  themselves  again. 

On    July    18th    reveille    was    sounded    at    sunrise.     The 


1863.]  LEE'S  RETREAT  229 

weather  was  fine  but  rather  hot.  After  a  hasty  breakfast 
we  broke  camp.  About  six  o'clock  we  found  the  army  in 
motion  and  inarching  back  towards  Sandy  Hook.  We 
crossed  the  Potomac  at  Harper's  Ferry  for  the  third  time 
during  the  war,  passing  through  the  lower  part  of  the  town 
and  crossing  the  Shenandoah  River  at  the  foot-  of  Loudoun 
Heights  into  Loudoun  Valley  as  far  as  a  place  called  Hills- 
boro,  a  short  distance  from  Vestal  Gap,  where  we  camped 
for  the  night.  While  the  scenery  around  us  was  pictur 
esque  and  grand  beyond  description,  the  thought  that  we 
were  soon  to  leave  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  and  return 
to  the  land  of  secession  and  rebellion  seemed  to  cast  a  gloom 
over  all  of  us.  There  did  not  appear  to  be  any  alarm  about 
the  presence  of  the  rebel  army  any  more  than  as  if  there 
never  had  been  any,  yet,  by  reports,  some  of  Mosby's  men  or 
bushwhackers  were  hanging  around  our  flank. 

On  July  19th  the  weather  was  fine  but  extremely  hot. 
We  drew  new  clothing,  and  stayed  in  camp  until  near  noon, 
when  we  hitched  up  and  marched  about  five  miles  to  what 
was  called  Woodgrove,  and  camped  for  the  night  in  a 
field  where  we  found  some  very  fine  blackberries.  It  was 
quite  a  sight  to  see  the  line  of  men,  as  far  as  the  eye  could 
reach,  filling  their  caps,  hats,  buckets  or  anything  that  was 
available  for  that  purpose.  In  marching  from  the  road  to 
our  camp,  near  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  the  wheels  of  the  bat 
tery  Avere  colored  by  the  juice  of  the  blackberries  which 
were  crushed  by  passing  over  them. 

On  the  20th  the  weather  was  fine.  Blackberries  appeared 
as  plentiful  as  ever.  We  broke  camp  at  about  eight, 
marched  along  the  Leesburg  pike  to  Bloomfield  and  there 
went  into  camp.  Here  was  plenty  of  good  grass  and  we 
were  allowed  to  let  the  horses  graze  for  an  hour  to  their 
apparent  enjoyment.  After  all  the  hard  traveling  they  had 
done  over  rough,  smooth  and  muddy  roads,  it  was  surpris 
ing  to  see  them  frolic  like  colts  when  liberated  in  the  field. 
It  was  rather  hard  on  most  of  them,  as  they  ate  young 


230  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [July, 

clover  or  lobelia  which  caused  the  water  to  run  from  their 
mouths.  Both  of  my  horses  were  in  very  bad  condition, 
and  streams  of  water  ran  from  the  mouth  of  each,  and  I 
noticed  they  would  not  eat  their  grain.  The  march  that 
day  was  about  ten  miles,  just  a  comfortable  one  for  men 
and  horses. 

July  21st  was  the  second  anniversary  of  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run.  The  weather  continued  fine,  and  the  troops  were 
enjoying  a  rest. 

The  22d  was  another  fine  day.  The  troops  rested  until 
after  one  o'clock  p.  M.  About  two  Ave  broke  camp  and 
marched  along  the  same  road  we  passed  over  in  November 
of  the  preceding  year.  Our  inarch  was  through  Upperville, 
turning  west  and  passing  through  Paris,  up  into  Ashby 's 
Gap  and  close  to  our  camp  of  the  Fall  before.  It  was  re 
ported  that  night  that  our  cavalry  came  up  with  the  rebels 
at  Manassas  Gap  and  had  quite  a  lively  skirmish  with  them. 

The  23d  was  a  hot  day.  We  were  routed  out  about  three 
A.  M.,  and  left  camp  not  far  from  daylight,  in  the  cool  of 
the  day,  on  the  road  leading  to  Front  Royal,  through  a 
number  of  small  mountain  hamlets,  one  by  the  name  of 
Kerfoot  (foot  of  mountain),  and  parked  in  front  of  a  large 
white  house  occupied  by  a  family  by  the  name  of  Ashby 
(cousins  of  the  rebel  General  Ashby),  at  what  was  called 
Markham's  Station.  Here  we  halted  about  two  hours  for 
the  Third  and  Fifth  corps  to  pass  us.  Resuming  our  march 
we  entered  Manassas  Gap,  and,  about  five  o'clock,  biv 
ouacked  for  the  night  near  Linden. 

The  Fifth  and  part  of  the  Third  corps  had  a  skir 
mish  with  the  enemy  that  day.  There  were  quite  a  number 
of  wounded  in  the  church  at  Linden  who  were  in  the  en 
gagement  the  day  before.  We  were  not  far  from  Peters 
burg.  That  evening  one  of  our  new  men  (an  Englishman) 
came  up  to  a  group  standing  by  one  of  the  guns  and  said  in 
broad  English :  ''Ay ;  its  riaut  but  gaps  and  burgs ;  gaps 
and  burgs;  I  never  seed  such  a  country.'' 


1863.]  LEE'S  RETREAT  231 

The  24th  was  another  hot  day,  and  it  was  getting  quite 
dusty.  We  remained  in  camp  until  about  one  o'clock,  when 
we  were  ordered  to  hitch  up  lively.  Breaking  camp  we 
marched  back  to  Markham's  Station  just  outside  of  the 
Gap,  and  went  into  cam])  near  the  Ashby  mansion.  Tt  was 
reported  that  General  Spinola  had  a  hard  fight  at  Wapping 
Heights  the  day  before,  and  had  made  three  distinct  charges 
upon  the  rebels.  The  Confederates  were  inarching  towards 
Oulpepper  in  plain  view  of  us  across  the  Shenandoah  River. 
Our  rations  were  getting  short,  also  forage  for  the  horses. 

The  25th  was  another  hot  day,  and  it  was  a  hard  one  on 
our  men  and  horses.  We  broke  camp  about  six  o'clock 
A.  M.  The  roads  were  very  dusty  and  the  country  moun 
tainous.  Some  of  the  horses  gave  out  completely.  Our 
march  was  nearly  east  through  Rectortown.  We  arrived 
at  White  Plains  about  three  o'clock,  and  went  into  cam]) 
near  a  wood.  It  was  reported  that  Mosby's  guerillas  had 
attacked  our  rear  guard  and  captured  a  number  of  strag 
glers. 

On  the  2(>th  we  broke  camp  a  little  after  five  o'clock.  The 
roads  were  dusty  in  spite  of  the  shower  and  the  heat  was 
oppressive.  We  marched  along  Mauassas  (la])  Railroad  to 
Broad  Run  Station,  then  turned  south  to  YVarrenton  where 
we  halted  for  an  hour  at  noon  near  Bethel  Academy. 
About  half  past  one  we  began  our  march,  passing  through 
Germantown  to  near  Warrenton  .Junction.  The  roads,  were 
extremely  dusty,  and  a  number  of  our  horses  gave  out,  some 
dropping  dead  along  the  roadside.  It  was  a  severe  march 
of  a  little  over  twenty-four  miles. 

On  the  27th  the  weather  was  variable.  We  had  quite  a 
number  of  showers  during  the  day.  The  quartermaster  of 
Battery  B  took  a  squad  of  men  and  went  to  Warrenton 
Junction  for  horses,  but  found  none  there.  Troops  were 
halting  in  all  directions,  and,  without  any  regular  orders 
to  camp,  they  seemed  to  drop  in  anywhere.  It  rained  hard 
that  night.  Charles  Mowry,  who  left  the  battery  at  Sandy 


232  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [July, 

Hook,  was  reported  as  a  deserter.  I  think  it  was  Mowry 
and  his  gang  that  did  a  lot  of  raiding  on  our  stragglers  and 
robbed  our  wagon  trains. 

The  morning  of  the  28th  was  wet  and  cool.  We  had  quite 
a  rain  in  the  evening.  Some  of  Battery  B's  men  again  went 
to  the  station,  and,  like  the  preceding  visit,  found  no  horses 
there.  This  was  one  of  the  days  that  was  so  trying  to  the 
soldiers, — the  uncertainty  of  whether  they  were  to  march  or 
not. 

The  29th  was  a  wet,  disagreeable  morning  and  a  settled 
rain  pervaded  our  camp.  Xo  one  appeared  to  know  what 
our  next  move  would  be. 

On  the  30th?  about  five  p.  M.,  we  received  orders  to  march 
and,  not  far  from  six,  started  towards  Morrisville,  about  six 
miles  distant,  reaching  which  we  joined  our  Third  Division 
and  went  into  park  about  nine  o'clock  near  division  head 
quarters. 

On  the  31st  it  came  out  quite  pleasant,  and  we  found 
that  we  were  in  a  delightful  locality.  The  battery  on 
that  day  drew  clothing,  which  was  greatly  needed.  For 
myself  I  had  lost  all  my  spare  clothing  at  Gettysburg, 
where  a  shell  took  my  saddle  trunk,  clothes,  and  all. 
We  were  now  back  to  the  Rappahannock  River,  which 
we  left  in  front  of  Fredericksburg  on  the  14th  of  June, 
just  forty-eight  days  before.  Since  that  time  our  bat 
tery  had  inarched  and  countermarched  in  the  neighbor 
hood  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  campaigning  and 
passing  through  portions  of  Virginia,  Maryland,  and  Penn 
sylvania,  and  fought  in  one  of  the  severest  battles  of  the 
war,  as,  indeed,  it  was  one  of  the  severest  ever  recorded. 
We  held  ourselves  in  constant  readiness  to  fight  the  enemy 
at  any  moment.  Thus  ended  the  Gettysburg  campaign,  one 
of  the  memorable  events  in  history. 

August  1st  was  another  fine  day,  but  rather  warm.  We 
had  made  preparations  to  stay  at  Morrisville  for  awhile, 
when  we  received  orders  to  return  with  our  Third  Division 


1863.]  ELKTON  233 

to  Elkton,  a  village  of  four  or  five  houses  and  barns,  and 
many  roads  running  through  it.  We  inquired  of  some  of 
the  negroes  what  kind  of  a  town  it  was.  They  said  it  was 
"a  right  smart  town,''  and,  by  the  looks  of  the  place,  I 
judged  that  it  was  what  it  was  represented  to  be. 

On  the  2d  it  was  clear  and  hot.  We  had  a  busy  day  fit 
ting  up  our  camp,  and  appearances  indicated  that  we  were 
to  tarry  there  for  a  time. 

The  3d  was  another  very  hot  day,  and  it  was  fortunate 
that  the  troops  were  not  on  the  road  in  such  trying  weather. 
The  paymaster  came  into  camp  and  we  received  two 
months'  pay,  which  gladdened  the  hearts  of  the  men. 

The  4th  was  another  hot  day.     Major  Munroe,  the  allot 
ment  commissioner  of  Rhode  Island,  came  and  took  the  sol 
diers'  money  home  for  them.     Towards  evening  there  was 
considerable  cannonading  heard  in  the  direction  of  the  Rap- 
pahannock  River. 

On  the  6th  our  camp  began  to  take  on  quite  a  neat  ap 
pearance,  and  the  men  seemingly  liked  the  place,  and  had 
fitted  up  their  quarters  very  comfortably.  Sergeants 
Straight  and  Williams,  of  Battery  B,  took  twenty  men  up 
to  Catlett's  Station,  and  returned  about  dark  with  seventy- 
two  horses  and  one  mule  to  replace  those  that  had  died  on 
the  march.  It  began  to  look  as  if  they  would  get  their  new 
battery  and  leave  us  soon. 

The  8th  was  a  fine  day  with  considerable  life  in  camp. 
Battery  B  having  received  their  horses  left  us  that  day 
and  took  with  them  our  guns.  We  received  new  ones  from 
Morrisville. 

The  9th  was  a  quiet  day  in  camp.  The  weather  was  fine. 
Sergt.  Willard  B.  Pierce  was  promoted  to  Second  Lieuten 
ant  and  transferred  to  Battery  B. 

On  the  16th  general  orders  were  read  in  line  announcing 
that  Gen.  Gouverneur  K.  Warren  had  been  assigned  to  the 
command  of  the  Second  Corps,  relieving  Gen.  William 
Hays,  who  had  been  in  command  of  the  corps  since  the  bat- 


284  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY    [Aug., 

tie  of  Gettysburg,  where  General  Hancock,  our  beloved 
commander,  had  fallen  desperately  wounded. 

On  the  17th  the  weather  remained  fair  and  warm.  Some 
of  the  men  of  Battery  B  came  to  our  camp.  They  expressed 
themselves  as  greatly  pleased  with  their  new  guns.  They 
were  Napoleons,  and  were  like  those  they  had  used  at  Get 
tysburg. 

The  20th  was  a  mixture  of  sunshine  and  cloud.  It  was 
quite  cool  and  comfortable,  with  considerable  life  in  camp. 
The  men  were  in  better  spirits  and  indulged  in  different 
sports  including  a  good  game  of  ball.  Considerable  artil 
lery  firing  was  heard  down  the  river. 

The  21st  Avas  another  fine  day.  The  men  continued  to 
engage  in  different  sports,  and  there  were  ball  games,  jump 
ing,  putting  the  shot,  and  other  amusements. 

Again  on  the  22d  another  one  of  those  fine  Virginia  days 
was  enjoyed.  We  were  busily  engaged  in  cleaning  and 
polishing  for  inspection.  About  noon  General  Warren  and 
staff,  with  Captain  Hazard,  brigade  chief  of  artillery,  came 
into  camp  and  inspected  the  battery.  General  Warren  con 
gratulated  us  on  our  good  appearance  after  such  a  hard 
campaign. 

The  24th  was  hot,  but  the  boys  enjoyed  it,  as  there  were 
a  number  of  games  of  ball,  and  other  sports,  with  a  new  one 
introduced  by  a  German  who  was  attached  to  the  battery. 
It  was  called  '''Scratch  a  little/'  A  stake  was  driven  into 
»the  ground;  then  two  men  were  tied,  each  by  the  left  wrist, 
with  a  cord  ten  feet  long.  One  had  a  stick  cut  with  notches 
and  a  plain  one,  and  he  rubbed  the  two  together  making  a 
noise;  the  other  had  an  old  stocking  stuffed  to  pound  with. 
Both  were  blindfolded  and  placed  at  the  rope's  length. 
When  the  game  began  one  tried  to  find  the  other  so  as  to 
pound  him,  while  the  other  was  trying  to  keep  clear.  Some 
times  they  Avere  together  listening  to  hear  each  other's 
movements.  The  German  kept  saying,  ''Scratch  a  little;  I 
see  Avhere  ATOU  are."  Sometimes  tliev  would  be  back  to  back 


1863.]  ELKTON  235 

nearly  touching.  T  thought  there  was  more  fun  in  it  to 
look  at  than  any  game  I  ever  saw.  General  Hays  was  in 
camp  and  saw  us  play  ball ;  also  saw  the  scratch  game  and 
was  evidently  much  pleased  with  both. 

The  25th  was  another  hot  day.  Our  men  were  improv 
ing  every  day,  and  there  were  plenty  of  games  going  on  af 
ter  the  heat  of  the  day.  T  was  high  man  throwing  the  shot 
by  five  feet,  and  T  belonged  to  the  best  ball  team.  We  had 
a  refreshing  shower  that  night  with  very  sharp  lightning. 

The  2()th  was  clear  and  cool  after  the  shower  of  the  night 
before.  It  cooled  the  air  considerably,  and  it  appeared  like 
Fall  weather.  The  ball  games  and  other  sports,  with 
"scratch"  games  included,  were  going  on  all  the  time.  A 
big  fellow  came  from  the  Forty-second  Xew  York  who  threw 
the  shot  close  up  to  my  mark,  which  caused  some  excite 
ment.  General  Hays  was  in  camp  again  and  enjoyed  the 
games  exceedingly.  When  he  was  told  that  I  had  thrown 
the  shot  farther  than  the  infantryman  he  wanted  to  see 
me.  I  went  up  and  he  said  to  me :  "Can  you  throw  that 
up  to  his  mark?''  I  told  him  I  had  already  done  so,  and 
would  try  again,  which  I  did,  and  threw  it  three  feet  farther 
than  I  had  before,  which  caused  him  to  shout  aloud,  and  he 
grabbed  me  by  the  hand.  He  thought  we  could  excel  any 
battery  in  the  army.  I  esteemed  General  Hays  most  highly. 
He  was  every  inch  a  soldier  and  a  man  after  my  own  heart. 

The  29th  was  another  tine  day.  After  camp  duty  had 
been  performed  I  got  a  pass  and  went  to  the  run  and 
washed  my  clothes  and  had  a  good  bath.  I  came  back  with 
my  clean  clothes  on.  The  lieutenant  had  forgotten  having 
given  me  the  pass.  During  my  absence  there  were  some 
officials  in  camp  measuring  the  men,  taking  their  ages,  com 
plexion  and  nationality.  They  had  nearly  completed  their 
task  and  were  about  leaving  camp  when  I  returned.  The 
captain  was  somewhat  displeased  with  me  until  I  showed 
him  the  pass.  I  was  then  ordered  to  strip  and  take  off  my 
jacket,  which  caused  that  officer  to  censure  me.  After 


236  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Aug., 

some  talk  had  passed  between  us,  and  I  had  learned  that  he 
desired  me  to  strip  entirely,  I  took  off  my  clothes  and  went 
through  the  process  of  being  measured.  After  it  was  over 
the  officer  told  Captain  Arnold  that  I  was  the  best  propor 
tioned  man  he  had  ever  measured,  and  said  that  he  had 
measured  every  man  in  the  army  but  the  men  of  one  battery 
of  artillery  of  our  corps,  Avhich  he  was  about  to  do  after  he 
had  completed  his  work  in  our  battery. 

On  the  31st,  at  daybreak,  we  were  routed  out  and  started 
for  the  Eappahannock  River,  Avhich  we  reached  after  a  hard 
march  of  fifteen  miles.  We  went  into  park  about  one  mile 
from  United  States  Ford.  It  was  reported  that  the  en 
emy's  cavalry  had  crossed  the  river  on  a  raid,  and,  Avhile 
our  cavalry  was  after  them,  our  duty  was  to  keep  strict 
watch  of  the  enemy's  movements  in  the  vicinity  of  the  river. 

September  1st  was  a  bright,  fine  day.  We  were  in  posi 
tion  about  a  mile  from  the  United  States  Ford  on  the  Rap- 
pahannock  River.  The  Second  Corps  was  posted  along  the 
river.  It  was  learned  that  day  that  the  purpose  of  our 
movement  to  the  ford  was  for  our  cavalry  to  capture  some 
gunboats  reported  to  be  on  the  river.  This,  I  considered, 
was  the  biggest  farce  I  ever  heard  of.  I  should  have  been 
pleased  to  have  seen  those  boats  after  they  were  captured. 
There  were  some  portions  of  this  river  where  the  water  was 
only  about  deep  enough  for  a  skiff,  which  would  be  rather 
a  light  gunboat.  The  cavalry  was  moving  down  the  river 
all  day  long. 

The  2d  was  a  hot  day.  We  waited  for  those  gunboats, 
but  none  appeared.  I  imagined  that  they  thought  we  were 
taking  too  much  comfort  in  camp,  and  needed  exercise  to 
keep  us  in  good  condition. 

The  4th  was  a  fine  day.  After  looking  in  vain  for  the 
gunboats  our  cavalry  returned,  and,  about  two  o'clock,  we 
marched  back  as  far  as  Morrisville.  It  did  not  look  as  if 
we  were  going  back  to  Elkton. 

On  the  5th  Ave  were  again  greeted  with  beautiful  weather. 


1863.]  MOKRLSVILLE  237 

Carroll's  brigade  returned  from  New  York,  where  they  had 
been  engaged  in  putting  down  the  riots  occasioned  by  the 
draft  in  that  city.  Camp  duty  began  again,  and  prepara 
tions  were  made  for  inspection  on  the  morrow.  We  re 
mained  at  Morrisville  until  the  12th,  with  regular  camp 
duty.  On  the  evening  of  the  llth  artillery  firing  was  ac 
tively  kept  up  down  the  river.  John  F.  Leach,  our  guidon 
bearer,  was  temporarily  attached  to  Battery  B. 

On  the  12th  we  received  marching  orders  with  three  days' 
rations,  and,  about  ten  o'clock,  broke  camp  and  crossed  the 
railroad,  then  folloAved  towards  the  river  to  Kappahannock 
Station,  where  we  camped  for  the  night.  The  First  and 
Fifth  corps  were  in  advance  of  us,  and  the  cavalry  had  al 
ready  crossed  the  river. 

On  the  13th  we  were  turned  out  before  light,  and  every 
body  was  trying  to  get  a  cup  of  coffee  before  going  into  the 
fight,  which  was  expected  to  take  place  at  any  moment. 
About  daylight  we  started  and  followed  after  our  cavalry 
across  the  river  on  pontoons.  The  cavalry,  with  horse  ar 
tillery,  were  having  quite  a  hot  fight  at  Brandy  Station, 
and  forced  the  rebels  back  toward  Culpepper.  We  reached 
the  station  about  ten,  and  halted  for  an  hour  or  more. 
Three  pieces  of  artillery  and  about  twenty  men  from  a 
Maryland  battery,  were  brought  in.  They  had  been  cap 
tured  by  our  cavalry.  We  arrived  at  Culpepper  Court 
House  about  six  o'clock,  and  formed  in  line  of  battle,  the 
Second  Corps  holding  the  town.  We  had  a  beautiful  and 
extensive  view  of  the  surrounding  country.  Our  cavalry 
drove  the  enemy  back  as  far  as  Cedar  Mountain.  The  horse 
artillery  kept  up  a  steady  fire  and  chase  after  them.  The 
fight  looked  fine  from  a  distance,  but  is  not  so  fine  when 
you  are  an  active  participant  in  it  yourself. 

The  14th  came  out  clear  again.  We  still  remained  in 
line  of  battle.  Our  position  overlooked  the  country  for 
miles  around.  Our  cavalry  was  fighting  all  day  long. 
Our  wagons  carne  up  that  evening  with  forage  and  rations. 


238 


BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    All  TILLER  Y     [Sept., 


The  15th  still  found  us  in  line  of  battle.  Our  cavalry 
and  horse  artillery  began  to  skirmish  early  in  the  morning, 
and  kept  at  it  about  all  day.  Our  mail  came  up  that  day, 
which  greatly  cheered  the  men,  as  it  always  did  to  hear 
from  home  and  loved  ones. 

The  16th  was  fine  weather  again.  About  nine  o'clock  we 
received  orders,  and,  with  our  Third  Division,  followed  the 
cavalry,  passing  through  the  town  and  took  the  Orange 
pike  direct  to  Cedar  Mountain,  which  is  a  range  of  three 
peaks,  the  largest,  in  the  centre,  being  Cedar  Peak.  An 
other,  called  Slaughter  Peak,  is  named  for  a  family  by  the 
name  of  Slaughter.  This  peak  was  well  cultivated,  and 
had  a  fine  house  and  buildings  with  an  excellent  orchard, 
situated  thereon.  Our  battery  took  position  along  the 
orchard  near  the  house.  The  view  was  grand.  It  was  the 
position  held  by  Jackson  when  he  defeated  Pope's  army. 
We  could  see  our  cavalry  and  horse  artillery  in  action  by 
the  flash  of  their  guns  down  towards  Robinson's  Creek.  It 
was  a  running  fight. 

On  the  17th  the  weather  was  fine  and  cool,  and  remained 
so  throughout  the  night.  We  held  the  same  position  as  on 
the  preceding  day  until  about  ten  o'clock,  when  we  started 
down  the  valley  to  the  east,  passing  along  the  foot  of  the 
mountain  to  Robinson's  Creek,  or  Crooked  Run,  where  a 
sharp  skirmish  was  going  on  all  day.  It  was  reported 
that  a  strong  force  of  Confederates  were  on  the  Rapidan 
River.  Just  before  reaching  camp  we  found  a  cornfield 
which  had  not  been  disturbed,  as  there  had  been  no  soldiers 
in  that  vicinity  that  summer.  Everybody  had  a  feast  of 
green-corn.  It  rained  that  night,  and  the  weather  was  cold 
and  disagreeable. 

On  the  18th  we  were  up  early  after  corn  and  got  a  good 
supply  for  our  men  and  horses.  During  the  day  two  pigs 
were  brought  into  camp.  They  Avere  the  first  we  had  seen 
in  a  long  time,  and,  after  being  cooked,  they,  with  the  green- 
corn,  made  a  feast  of  good  things.  There  was  some  sharp 


1863.]  ROBINSON'S  CREEK  239 

skirmish  ing  along  the  Rapidan  throughout  the  day.  We 
were  compelled  to  witness  a  sickening  spectacle  that  day 
that  can  never  be  effaced  from  my  memory,  the  execution  of 
two  deserters  from  the  Fourteenth  Connecticut.  They 
were  brought  out  and  placed  upon  their  coffins  in  a  three- 
sided  square  comprising  the  troops  of  our  division.  Bat 
tery  B  and  our  battery  were  ordered  out  to  view  this  fright 
ful  scene.  After  the  deserters  had  been  blindfolded  the 
guards  were  ordered  to  march  up  and  fire  upon  the  miser 
able  culprits.  There  was  only  one  gun  that  had  a  bullet 
in  it,  the  guards,  unknown  to  their  officers,  having  drawn 
the  bullets  out  from  the  guns;  therefore  only  one  of  the  de 
serters  was  wounded  at  this  fire,  and  he  mortally.  He  fell 
back  on  his  coffin.  The  other  sprang  to  his  feet  and  pulled 
his  bandage  off.  By  that  time  the  reserve  guards  were 
brought  up  and  pointed  their  guns  in  his  face  and  fired. 
Only  one  of  their  guns  appeared  to  have  a  bullet,  although 
all  the  guns  snapped.  The  captain  or  officer  in  charge  of 
the  guards  then  drew  his  pistol,  and,  placing  it  at  the  head 
of  the  doomed  man,  fired  and  he  fell  on  his  coffin  and  was 
apparently  dead.  The  surgeon  examined  both  of  the  de 
serters  and  found  they  were  still  alive.  The  guards  were 
then  ordered  to  load,  and,  one  at  a  time,  they  were  brought 
up,  and,  by  direction  of  the  surgeon  who  pointed  at  the 
hearts  of  the  unfortunate  men,  they  Avere  ordered  to  shoot, 
which  they  did.  After  three  shots  had  been  fired  at  each  of 
the  deserters  they  were  pronounced  dead.  The  guns  came 
so  close  to  the  men  that  their  clothing  took  fire  and  had  to 
be  put  out  with  water. 

The  19th  was  a  fine  day,  but  rather  cool.  About  nine 
o'clock  ''boots  and  saddles"  call  was  sounded.  The  battery 
latched  up  and  stood  ready  to  start  until  about  four  o'clock, 
when  we  went  a  short  distance,  pitched  camp,  and,  after 
unharnessing,  went  to  work  fixing  it  up.  Our  cavalry 
skirmished  nearly  all  day,  and  that  was  the  reason  we  were 
hitched  up  so  long  ready  to  go  in  and  assist  them  if  neces 
sary. 


240  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Sept.r 

On  the  20th  the  weather  was  fine.  It  was  the  quietest 
day  we  had  had  since  our  arrival  there.  Tt  was  reported 
that  Charlie  Mowry  was  in  camp  the  night  before.  He  was 
concealed  by  some  one  in  our  battery,  which  I  did  not  con 
sider  the  right  thing  to  do,  as  he  deserted  from  us  at  Sandy 
Hook  on  our  way  from  Gettysburg,  and  was  acting  as  a 
guerilla  with  a  gang  like  himself  around  the  flank  and  rear 
of  our  army.  I  could  not  find  out  who  it  was  that  was  ac 
customed  to  meet  him.  I  understood  that  he  gave  a  signal 
when  he  came  into  our  camp.  If  I  had  caught  him  I  would 
have  taken  him  to  headquarters  where  he  would  doubtless 
have  been  tried  and  received  the  just  punishment  meted  out 
to  a  deserter.  It  was  said  that  he  had  left  word  that  if  I 
attempted  to  take  him  I  would  get  shot.  However,  I  would 
have  been  willing  to  have  taken  my  chances.  He  would 
probably  have  found  out  that  some  one  else  could  shoot  as 
well  as  himself.  There  was  another  pig  captured  that  day. 
General  Hays  says,  "Get  all  you  can,"  but  when  we  were 
in  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  he  gave  strict  orders  against 
foraging.  After  our  arrival  in  Virginia  he  seemed  to  ap 
prove  of  our  living  upon  the  enemy. 

The  21st  was  fine  but  cool.  With  the  exception  of  some 
cavalry  skirmishing  up  the  creek  it  was  very  quiet.  Gen 
eral  Hays,  dressed  in  a  rough  disguise,  with  a  good-sized 
walking  stick,  passed  through  our  camp  every  night.  He 
always  had  the  countersign  and  was  allowed  to  pass.  He 
asked  for  a  chew  of  tobacco  every  night.  No  one  seemed 
to  know  who  he  was.  It  was  reported  to  our  officers,  and 
they  declared  they  would  find  out.  So  that  night  when  he 
came  along  he  asked  for  tobacco,  as  usual,  and  the  guard 
told  him  to  buy  some,  saying  to  him,  "You  have  been  beg 
ging  tobacco  here  every  night."  "Oh,  well,"  he  said,  "you 
Rhode  Islanders  have  the  best  I  know  of.  Where  do  you 
get  it?"  Then  the  guard  said,  "Well,  I  guess  I  will  have 
to  find  out  who  you  are;  as  it  is  my  orders  to  do  so  if  you 
come  through  this  camp  again."  This  caused  the  general  to 


CAPT.  GAMALIEL  L.  DWIGHT. 

Left  Brown  University  in  his  Sophomore  Year  and  was  enrolled  as  Corporal 
in  Battery  A;  promoted  Second  Lieutenant   Battery  B;  promoted  First 
Lieutenant  Battery  A;  Regimental  Adjutant;  Acting  Assistant-Adju 
tant-General  of  Artillery  Brigade  Second  Army  Corps;   reorgan 
ized  and  commanded  Battery  A  after  the  return  home  of  the 
original  men;  re-entered  Brown  University  in  1864,  and 
in   1867   presented  to  the   University  the  Ilowdl 
Premium,  amounting  to  one  thousand  dollars, 
in  honor  of  his  grandfather,  David  Howell. 


1868.]  ROBINSON'S  CHEEK  241 

laugh  very  heartily.  Then,  the  guard  thinking  he  might- 
be  a  person  of  sonic  importance,  called  the  sergeant  of  the 
guard,  and  it  was  soon  found  to  be  General  Hays.  lie 
went  along  his  picket  line  about  every  night,  as  lie  consid 
ered  it  very  important  that  the  pickets  should  be  on  the 
alert  and  constantly  watchful. 

On  the  22d  the  weather  was  tine,  though  cold.  There 
was  considerable  excitement  on  foot.  We  hitched  np  and 
stood  in  readiness  for  anything  that  might  happen.  Our 
cavalry  had  some  skirmishing  np  the  creek.  The  troops 
seemed  to  be  enjoying  themselves,  although  we  were  ex 
pecting  a  tight  at  any  lime. 

Again  a  tine  day  on  the  23d,  yet  a  little  cool.  .Everything 
was  quid  until  three  o'clock,  when  a  sharp  cavalry  fight 
took  place.  We  hitched  np  again.  The  skirmishers  were 
in  plain  sight,  and  we  could  see  them  manoeuvre1  their  horse 
artillery,  and  it  was  sharp  work  for  awhile.  Some  of  our 
cavalry  were  returning  from  a  reconniossance.  and  the  reb 
els  undertook  to  cut  them  on",  which,  for  a  time,  made  things 
quite  lively. 

On  the  24th  the  weather  was  cool  in  the  morning,  but 
warm  at  midday.  We  had  excitement  of  the  right  sort  that 
day.  The  paymaster  made  his  appearance,  and  we  received 
two  months'  pay.  His  visits  were1  always  very  cheering  to 
the  boys.  It  seemed  to  put  new  life  into  them.  In  the  af 
ternoon  we  had  the  good  fortune  to  draw  clothing,  which 
also  came  at  a  most  acceptable  time.  There  was  not  much 
skirmishing  that  day. 

The  2r>th  was  clear  and  cool.  Our  corps  headquarters 
were  at  Mitchell's  Station  on  the  Orange  and  Alexandria 
Railroad;  the  Second  Division  on  the  right  at  Sumnierville 
Ford;  the  First  Division  in  the  centre;  the  Third  Division 
on  the  left  to  Crooked  Hun.  making  a  picket  line  about  nine 
miles  long  on  the  Rapidan. 

The  20th  wax  line  and  warm  until  night,  when  it  became 
id 


242  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    II.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [Oct., 

cool.  Our  cavalry  was  veVy  active;  they  had  a  skirmish 
about  every  day. 

The  morning-  of  the  29th  was  clear  and  cold.  About  two 
o'clock  the  cavalry  made  another  dash  across  the  creek 
among  the  rebels.  We  got  quick  orders  and  left  camp  with 
out  caissons.  We  kept  under  cover  of  the  woods  to  the 
creek,  in  support  of  the  cavalry.  We  had  nothing  to  do 
after  getting  there;  had  a  good  chance  to  see  cavalry  ma 
noeuvres,  and  returned  to  camp  at  dusk. 

October  1st  was  a  cold,  disagreeable  day,  with  high 
winds.  There  was  considerable  picket  firing  going  on,  just 
enough  to  keep  us  expecting  to  hitch  up.  It  began  to  rain 
during  the  night. 

The  2d  was  another  cold  and  unpleasant  day.  It  was 
rainy  throughout  the  day.  A  deserter  was  executed  in  our 
First  Division,  but  the  guards  made  no  mistake  in  the  per 
formance  of  their  duty.  When  they  received  the  word  to 
fire,  every  musket  was  discharged  at  once,  and  it  looked  as 
if  each  bullet  hit  its  mark.  The  deserter's  name  was  Small. 
He  stood  up  and  gave  the  order  to  fire  himself,  and  it  ap 
peared  as  if  he  died  instantly.  He  fell  on  his  face  across 
his  coffin.  I  had  the  misfortune  to  see  it,  not  knowing  it 
was  to  take  place.  1  went  out  of  camp  on  a  pass  to  visit  a 
friend,  and  arrived  just  in  time  to  witness  the  execution. 
I  came  very  near  being  in  range  of  the  firing,  as  I  was  on 
the  open  side  of  the  square,  but  was  down  the  hill  far 
enough  so  that  the  bullets  went  over  my  head. 

The  3d  was*  damp  and  cold,  but  cleared  up  through  the 
night.  It  was  quiet  in  cam]).  Paddy  Owen's  brigade  of  the 
Third  Division  came  in  that  day  and  joined  their  command. 
They  had  been  on  picket  at  Crooked  Bun.  General  Hays 
came  through  the  cam])  again  last  night,  but  the  boys  knew 
him  then  so  lie  had  no  trouble  to  get  tobacco. 

Sunday,  the  4th,  was  clear  and  quite  cold.  The  monot 
ony  of  cam])  life  was  relieved  by  a  mounted  inspection.  I 
got  a  pass  and  went  over  to  the  Second  Khode  Island  Kegi- 


1863.]  ROBINSON'S  CREEK  243 

meiit  and  had  a  pleasant  visit.  The  corps  to  which  they 
were  attached  (the  Sixth)  came  to  relieve  our  corps  which 
had  experienced  hard  service  on  the  picket  line.  As  far  as 
I  am  concerned  I  would  have  rather  had  our  battery  remain 
on  picket  duty  than  to  go  into  a  regular  camp. 

The  5th  was  clear  and  cold.  The  Sixth  Corps,  of  which 
the  Second  Rhode  Island  formed  a  part,  kept  coming  in  all 
day  long.  It  was  rumored  that  we  were  to  return  to  our 
old  camp.  A  number  of  the  Second  Rhode  Islanders  came 
into  our  camp  to  see  the  boys,  as  it  had  been  a  long  time 
since  we  were  privileged  to  meet  them.  We  received 
marching  orders  that  day. 


244  BATTERY    A,    FI1IST     II.     I.     LKIHT    AHTILLERV       [Oft., 

• 

CHAPTER  XV 

BRTSTOE  STATION. 

THE  f>th  of  October  was  clear  and  cold.  In  the  morn 
ing  we  were  routed  out  about  five1,  broke  camp  about 
seven,  taking  the  Orange  Plank  road  to  Culpepper. 
On  our  arrival  there  it  appeared  as  if  the  whole  army 
was  in  sight.  It  was  a  grand  and  imposing  spectacle.  As 
far  as  the  eye  could  reach  the  cam])  tires  of  the  army  lay 
spread  out  before  us  in  every  direction  and  presented  such 
a  panorama,  as  cannot  be  adequately  described. 

On  the  Tth  1he  weather  was  tine.  There  was  plenty  of 
life  around  1he  town  of  ('"ulpepper,  and  a  sutler,  fully 
stocked  with  supplies,  was  well  patronized  by  our  boys  who 
had  money.  There  was  a  rumor  afloat  thai  night  that  Lee's 
army  was  moving  into  Maryland  again. 

The  8th  was  clear  and  cool.  There  were  plenty  of  rumors 
about  Lee's  movements.  Some  said  that  our  army  was  to 
advance1,  while  others  said  1  hat 'we  Avere  to  make  a  retro 
grade  movement.  This  was  my  1  wenty-second  birthday. 
I  treated  myself  to  a  good  supper  at  the  sutler's  that  night, 
and  hoped  that  1  might  see  a  good  many  more  similar  anni 
versaries,  but  desired  them  in  a  more  civilized  country  than 
that  in  which  I  then  sojourned. 

The  <Mh  the  weather  was  tine  and  warm.  Considerable 
activity  was  manifested  in  all  the  camps,  and,  by  the  gallop 
ing  of  orderlies,  it  looked  as  if  we  would  be  moving  soon. 
Humors  were  plenty  that  Lee  was  making  demonstrations 
on  our  flank. 

The  10th  was  a  beautiful  day,  with  plenty  of  excitement. 
The  whole  army  was  formed  in  line  of  battle  around  Cul- 
pepper.  Our  battery  moved  about  three  miles  and  took  po- 


1863.]  CULPEPPER    COURT    HOUSE  245 

sit  ion  in  some  heavy  woods;  not  a  very  desirable  place  for 
a  rifle-gun  battery.  The  men  of  the  engineer  corps  were 
cutting  down  trees  as  rapidly  as  possible,  which  looked  as 
if  an  attack  was  expected. 

The  11th  was  a  fine  day,  rather  cool,  but  good  marching 
weather.  About  two  o'clock  A.  _M.  we  proceeded  along  the' 
road  to  Culpepper  Court  House,  where  we  halted  until  day 
light,  then  marched  to  Rappahannock  Station,  where  the 
whole  army  was  falling  back.  The  Sixth  Corps  took  the 
rear.  Our  troops  leveled  all  the  earthworks  that  covered 
the  ford.  Our  battery,  with  the  Third  Division,  fell  back 
to  Healton  Station,  where*  we  Avent  into  park  that  evening 
and  waited  for  the  next  move  to  be  made. 

The  12th  was  another  fine  day,  with  great  excitement  and 
rumors  of  every  description.  The  cavalry  had  a  sharp  en 
gagement  that  morning.,  and,  about  noon,  our  Second  Corps 
with  the  Sixth,  recrossed  the  river,  which  we  reached  by  a 
forced  march.  Immediately  on  crossing  we  formed  in  line 
of  battle,  and  it  was  the  finest  military  sight  1  ever  beheld. 
The  two  strongest  corps  in  the  army  were  drawn  up  to 
gether  where  both  could  be  seen  to  good  advantage.  If  the 
panorama  thus  spread  before  ns  could  have  been  looked 
upon  in  times  of  peace -it  would  have  been  magnificent,  but 
there  in  that  warlike  attitude.  Avith  the  expectation  of 
deadly  missiles  ploughing  through  those  serried  ranks,  the 
scene  Avas  grand  beyond  description. 

After  a  time  a  retrograde  movement  was  commenced. 
Our  battery  received  orders  to  fall  back  across  the  river, 
which  we  did,  and  arrived  at  Uealton  Station  about  day 
light  of  the  loth.  The  weather  continued  fine,  and,  after  a 
short  stay  at  Healton  we  proceeded  to  White  Sulphur 
Springs  to  support'  Gregg's  cavalry,  who  had  been  driven 
in  from  the  upper  Rappahannock  at  a  place  called  Water 
loo  Ford.  When  within  a  few  miles  of  White  Sulphur 
Springs  we  received  orders  to  go  to  Warren  ton  'Junction, 
which  place  we  started  for,  but,  about  dark,  were  compelled 


246  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    II.    I.    LIGHT    AKTILLERY       [Oct., 

to  halt,  as  the  Third  Corps  trains  blocked  the  way,  and 
we  went  into  park  along-  the  roadside.  With  continual 
marching  and  countermarching  our  corps  had  covered  that 
night  and  the  day  following  about  thirty  miles.  It  was  ex 
tremely  exhausting  to  both  men  and  horses. 

The  morning  of  the  14th  was  very  foggy,  one  of  those 
mornings  peculiar  to  this  section.  We  could  not  see  a  hun 
dred  feet  before  us  in  the  daylight.  We  were  routed  out 
before  three  o'clock.  It  seemed  as  if  we  had  but  just  lain 
down  and  closed  our  eyes,  completely  exhausted  from  the 
fatigue  of  the  day  and  the  night  before.  We  again  started 
to  cross  the  ford  at  Cedar  Run,  which  at  any  time  was  a 
perilous  undertaking,  as  the  hill  making  down  to  the  ford 
was  very  sharp  and  narrow  and  the  road  extremely  rough. 
The  darkness  was  intense,  and  the  fog  settling  down  upon 
us  made  it  difficult  to  cross.  I  had  driven  a  gun  team  at 
that  time  over  two  years,  but  this,  to  me,  was  the  hardest 
experience  that  had  ever  fallen  to  my  lot  to  encounter. 
There  were  a.  number  of  accidents ;  caissons  and  wagons 
were  upset,  which  made  it  hard  work  for  those  in  the  rear 
to  move  or  pass  by.  My  position,  as  driver  of  the  sixth  gun, 
was  very  unpleasant.  There  had  been  a  sawmill  or  grist 
mill  in  that  vicinity,  with  five  or  six  houses,  but  they  had 
all  been  burned  down.  It  was  a  hamlet  called  Auburn.  As 
we  crossed  the  run  and  were  getting  straightened  out  we  be 
gan  to  come  to  bright  fires  burning  by  the  roadside,  which 
at  first  we  took  to  be  built  for  the  purpose  of  lighting  up 
our  way.  On  moving  around  the  foot  of  a  bald  eminence 
we  could  see  thousands  of  fires  burning,  which  proved  to  be 
our  First  (Caldwell's)  Division  making  coffee. 

While  looking  at  this  singular  spectacle,  in  the  midst  of 
a  dense  fog,  it  seemed  as  if  the  sky  had  opened  and  a  bolt 
had  flashed  suddenly  out.  It  was  a  shell  fired  from  a  rebel 
battery  not  five  hundred  yards  distant.  This  was  followed 
in  rapid  succession  by  other  'shells  coming  from  the  same 
direction  and  on  the  very  road  upon  which  we  were  march- 


1863.]  FROM    UAPIDAN    TO    CEXTREYJLLE  247 

ing,  which,  together  with  the  sharp  crack  of  musketry  in 
<mr  rear  and  on  onr  left  flank,  placed  onr  corps  in  imminent 
danger  and  threatened  its  destruction.  Probably  never 
during  the  Rebellion  was  any  large  body  of  troops  placed 
in  such  a  perilous  situation.  It  was  this  unlocked  for  en 
counter  which  has  given  this  little  hamlet  (Auburn)  a 
name1  in  the  history  of  the  Civil  War.  The  position  of  the 
Second  Corps  at  this  crisis  was  as  follows:  Carroll's  brig 
ade  of  the  Third  Division  with  Gregg's  cavalry  was  in  onr 
rear  on  the  road  to  Warrenton ;  Brooke's  brigade  was  north 
of  the  ford  and  Auburn,  covering  the  road  to  Greenwich; 
while  the  First  Division,  as  we  have  said,  was  resting  on 
what  might  be  called  a  small  mountain  with  bald  top,  and 
around  the  sides  and  at  the  summit  of  which  our  troops 
Avere  gathered  in  a  dense  and  thickly  crowded  mass. 
While  they  were  thus  engaged  in  building  fires  and  in  cook 
ing  coffee  it  required  no  great  stretch  of  the  imagination  to 
realize  our  condition,  for,  with  the  short  range  of  artillery 
which  the  enemy  could  bring  to  bear  upon  us.  they  had  us 
at  a  great  disadvantage.  As  1  have  said,  our  battery  was 
on  the  road  near  the  troops  of  our  corps  when  the  firing  be 
gan  on  the  part  of  the  rebels.  We  were  immediately  put 
into  position  on  the  hill  above1  the  First  Division,  and 
opened  fire  as  rapidly  as  possible  upon  the  enemy,  who 
proved  to  be  Stuart's  cavalry  and  horse  artillery.  Gen. 
Alexander  Hays,  our  division  commander,  had  received  or 
ders  from  General  Warren,  then  commanding  our  Second 
Corps,  to  take  the  advance  on  the  Catlett's  Station  road, 
and,  if  he  came  up  with  the  enemy,  to  fix  bayonets  and  im 
mediately  charge  upon  them.  This  was  indeed  fortunate, 
as  Hays's  troops  had  got  Avell  under  way  when  our  battery 
opened,  but  soon  ceased  firing  in  order  to  allow  our  infan 
try,  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty  sixth  New  York  and  the 
Twelfth  New  Jersey,  who  were  deployed  as  skirmishers,  to 
advance  in  our  front.  General  Hays,  not  knowing  the 
strength  of  The  enemy,  pushed  his  skirmishers  forward. 


BATTKKY    A.    FIRST    li.     1.     LHJHT    AUTILLKHY       [Oct., 

They  soon  came  upon  a  compact  line  of  rebel  cavalry  across 
the  road.  and.  although  being  unused  to  encounter  mounted 
troops,  they  did  not  shirk  from  attacking  them,  but  rushed 
forward  and  opened  a  sharp  fire  upon  both  men  and  horses. 
The  enemy  gallantly  charged  and  drove  our  skirmishers 
back  upon  (he  Twelfth  New  Jersey  in  line  of  battle,  who 
poured  in  such  a  withering  fire  upon  them  that  seul  the 
horsemen  to  the  right  about  and  with  no  small  loss.  Among 
those  who  fell  was  their  colonel,  Thomas  Ruffin,  of  the  First 
North  Carolina  Cavalry. 

When  Stuart  saw  Hays's  line  of  battle  approaching  he 
concluded  that  discretion  was  the  better  part  of  valor,  gave4 
the  order  to  retreat,  and  took  the  road  to  Catlett's  at  a  gal 
lop.  Hays's  skirmishers  pushed  forward,  and,  finding  there 
was  no  infantry  behind  the  audacious  Stuart,  it  gave  the 
Second  Corps  great  relief,  as  the  opening  of  the  enemy's 
batteries,  in  the  advantageous  position  they  had  occupied, 
was  a  cause  of  great  anxiety  to  us,  for  we  knew  not  whether 
a  large  or  a  small  force  was  in  our  front.  If  the  Confed 
erates  had  had  a  division  of  infantry  to  support  their  cav 
alry,  and.  if  properly  handled,  they  must  have  annihilated 
the  Second  Corps.  With  Kwell's  divisions  already  attack 
ing  our  left  and  rear,  Stuart's  cavalry  and  battery  had 
hardly  got  out  of  our  way,  when  the  fog  lifted,  and  we  saw, 
to  our  surprise,  directly  in  our  rear,  a  rebel  ball  cry  coming 
into  position.  I  knew  it  was  the  enemy,  and  so  did  every 
man  in  our  battery,  by  the  appearance  of  an  oflicer  on  a 
white  horse,  which  I  have4  always  thought  was  a  chief  of 
artillery.  Several  men  of  our  battery,  as  well  as  myself, 
informed  Captain  Arnold  and  he  gave  the  order  ;' Lim 
bers  and  caissons  pass  your  pieces!"  (ieneral  Cal dwell, 
who  was  standing  near  the  captain,  pointed  towards 
me  and  said:  "Captain,  make  that  man  shut  np;  they  are 
our  own  troops."  Tint  he  had  not  closed  his  month  when 
the  rebel  battery  opened  on  us,  and  came  near  sweeping  us 
oft'  the  face  of  the  earth.  It  was  the  first  time  thai  I  ever 


18(33.]  KAPIDAX    TO    OKNTIJEVILLK  249 

knew  our  battery  to  be  caught  napping;  but  they  would 
have  had  us  sure  if  Riekett's  battery  and  Battery  1J,  under 
Lieut.  T.  Fred  Brown,  had  not  come  to  our  rescue.  We 
learned  afterwards  that,  the  battery  that  opened  on  us  was 
Jones's  battalion  of  sixteen  pieces;  some  of  them  twenty- 
pounders.  While  there  were1  only  three  men  and  a  few 
horses  wounded,  I  never  saw  shell  come  so  thick  and  fast 
and  do  so  little  damage.  However,  it  cut  our  traces  and 
spokes,  and  one  shell  cut  John  T\  ng's  haversack  clean  off 
his  shoulder,  but  did  him  no  harm.  The  delay  encountered 
gave  a  dangerous  opportunity  for  Kwell  to  further  entrap 
our  column  with  his  superabundant  brigades,  for,  let  it  be 
borne  in  mind,  that  while  the  Second  Corps  thai  day  was 
less  than  one-sixth  of  Meade's  infantry,  Kwell  had  with  him 
one-half  of  Lee's  army,  and  it  was  well  known  that  it  was 
all  concentrated  the  night  before1  at  Warrenton.  In  such 
a  situation  the  unexpected  appearance  of  Stuart's  brigade 
upon  our  line  of  retreat  was  not  only  a  strange  but  an  em 
barrassing  circumstance.  The  enemy  had  been  informed 
ihe  night  before  of  Stuart's  strange  predicament  by  dis 
guised  messengers  sent  through  our  lines,  and,  as  the  sig 
nal  was  given,  the  Confederate  batteries  commenced  a  fu 
rious  cannonading  of  our  lines. 

As  soon  as  General  Hays  reported  Ihe  \vay  open.  General 
Webb,  with  our  Second  Division,  took  the  advance  to  Cat- 
lett's,  Hays's  division  following.  Gregg's  cavalry  and  Car 
roll's  brigade  were  ordered  to  abandon  the  ground  which 
they  had  been  holding  so  stubbornly..  Caldwell's  men 
marched  oil'  the  hill  after  they  had  buried  eleven  of  their 
comrades.  Gregg's  cavalry  deployed  through  the  woods  to 
protect  our  Hank.  As  tired  as  our  soldiers  were  there  was 
no  fault  found  at  the  pace  set:  by  the  head  of  the  column. 
Brooke's  brigade  had  great  difficulty  in  getting  out  after 
Gregg  had  withdrawn  his  cavalry.  As  it  was,  lie  had  to 

r"»O  * 

make  a  wide  detour  under  a  heavy  fire' in  order  to  get  away. 
Tin1  ri^ht  section  of  our  battery  under  the  command  of 


250 


BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LK.JHT    ARTILLERY       [Oct.r 


Lieut.  IVter  Hunt,  was  kept  back  with  the  First  Divis 
ion,  and  shelled  the  woods  to  the  right,  left,  and  rear ;  and, 
when  they  fell  back,  it  was  done  by  prolonge  for  some  dis 
tance,  the  pinners  loading  the  pieces  while  the  horses 
walked  along,  stopping  long  enough  to  lire,  then  walk  on 
again.  For  over  an  hour  before  Catlett's  was  reached  this 
was  kept  up;  and  our  infantry  also  was  out  on  our  Hank, 
loading  and  tiring  as  they  advanced.  To  me  it  was  a  spec 
tacle  such  as  I  never  desire  to  see  again.  According  to  re 
ports  from  Confederate  sources  Ewell  had  mistaken  our 
forces  to  be  much  stronger  than  they  Avere.  Owing  to  the 
demonstrations  kept  up  by  our  corps  and  the  cavalry,  he 
came  to  the  conclusion  that  the  wisest  thing  for  him  to  do 
was  to  retire;  so,  after  feeling  Caldwell's  position  its  entire 
length,  he  suddenly,  by  Hill's  orders,  moved  with  all  speed 
in  the  direction  of  Greenwich. 

As  soon  as  Ewell  had  abandoned  his  pursuit  the  line  of 
battle  was  broken,  and  our  troops  were  again  put  in  rapid 
motion.  I  commiserated  our  comrades  of  the  infantry,  who 
were  compelled  to  trudge  along  the  road  carrying  extra  ra 
tions  of  food  and  ammunition,  starting  before  daylight  on 
the  morning  of  the  12th,  and,  with  the  exception  of  between 
six  and  seven  hours'  stop  at  Auburn,  had  had  no  chance  fo 
rest,  and  had  eaten  their  rations  of  raw  pork  and  hard-tack 
as  they  proceeded  on  their  way. 

Leaving  Catlett's  on  a  forced  march,  nothing  happened  in 
the  way  of  fighting  until  we  reached  Kettle  Run  at  about 
half-past  three,  nearly  a  mile  from  Bristoe  Station.  Our 
battery  had  just  crossed  the  run  when  an  officer  rode  up  in 
great  haste  to  Captain  Arnold  and  gave  him  some  instruc 
tions.  We  were  soon  on  a  trot  march,  and  found  that  a 
rebel  battery  had  opened  in  our  front  and  in  the  same  man 
ner  as  at  Auburn. 

We  crossed  the  railroad  to  the  right,  then  turned  to  the 
left  along  some  heavy  pine  woods  for  a  quarter  of  a  mile, 
when,  breaking  past  those  woods,  a  sight  was  presented  to 


1863.]  KA1MDAN    TO    CEXTIJEYTLLE  251 

my  view  which  I  shall  never  forget.  Directly  in  our  front 
was  a  rebel  line  of  battle  that  came  charging  down  the  hill 
to  the  railroad,  while  on  one  side  of  ns  was  Webb's  Second 
Brigade  and  Hays's  Third  Division,  also  charging  to  see 
who  would  first  reach  the  railroad.  Our  battery  was  imme 
diately  placed  in  position  and  opened  upon  the  enemy,  rak 
ing  their  line  from  right  to  left.  Before  we  could  get  the 
second  round  in  they  had  broken  and  Avent  back  in  the  same 
manner  as  at  Gettysburg,  only  there  was  not  as  many  of 
them.  Our  infantry  and  battery  made  sad  havoc  in  their 
ranks  as  they  fell  back.  We  had  not  fired  many  rounds 
before  on  our  left  on  the  top  of  a  hill  across  the  railroad, 
and  within  less  than  three  hundred  yards,  a  rebel  battery 
came  up,  and,  before  we  knew  it.  shells  were  coming  length 
wise  of  our  battery,  and  at  very  short  range.  It  was  the 
most  spiteful  firing  I  had  ever  witnessed.  As  good  luck 
would  have1  it  they  fired  a  little  too  high,  and  nearly  all 
their  shots  went  over  us.  Our  guns  were  immediately 
placed  in  echelon  and  opened  on  the  enemy.  It  was  very 
remarkable  that  every  shot  from  our  guns  appeared  to  take 
effect,  and  men  and  horses  went  down  under  that  terrific 
fire.  The  enemy  soon  retired  in  confusion,  leaving  their 
guns  on  the  field.  Our  infantry  went  up  and  drew  the  gnus 
down  to  our  lines.  They  proved  to  be  five  English  pieces 
of  the  Blakely  pattern.  We  congratulated  ourselves  on  the 
fact  that  our  battery  had  saved  the  infantry  on  this  occa 
sion,  and  were  now  on  even  terms  with  them. 

On  that  morning  at  Auburn,  or,  as  some  of  our  soldiers 
called  it,  ''Coffee  Hill,"  about  the  third  round  the  enemy 
fired  struck  our  Xo.  6  gun,  on  which  I  was  driver.  The  gun 
was  loaded,  and  Lieutenant  Lamb  ordered  it  to  be  fired.  I 
said  to  him:  "Don't  fire  it!"  The  lieutenant  looked  at  me 
in  surprise  and  said:  "What  do  you  mean?"  I  replied: 
"If  you  fire  that  gun  it  will  go  down,  and  we  cannot  sling  it 
under  this  heavy  fire  from  the  rebels!"  In  an  instant  the 
lieutenant  divined  mv  meaning,  and  said:  ''You  are  right; 


"252  BATTKKY     A,     FIRST     K.    I.     LKJHT    AIITILLKUY        [Oct., 

limber  to  tlio  rear,  and  lake  it  away!"  which  I  did,  choos 
ing  Henry  I>.  ('randall  to  go  with  me  to  help  sling  it.  After 
going  about  sixty  yards  it  dropped.  We  were  <|nite  well 
out  of  range,  only  a  few  shots  coming  over  where  we  were, 
so  we  slung  the  gun  under  the  limber,  and,  taking  I  he  axe 
from  the  limber,  began  to  cut  the  Avheels  and  trail  so  they 
would  be  of  no  use1  to  the  enemy,  dreg's  cavalrv  was  pass 
ing,  and  the  general  and  his  staff  rode  up  and  commended 
ns  for  our  actions,  saying:  "That's  right;  don't  leave  any 
thing  for  the  rebels."  After  completing  my  task  I  started 
out  to  join  the  battery  and  fell  in  Avith  some  cavalry,  think 
ing  they  were  going  on  the  same  road  with  our  corps;  but, 
to  my  surprise,  they  were  going  by  the  way  of  Wolf  Run 
Shoals  with  the  wagon  trains.  ,  In  my  whole  army  experi 
ence  I  never  saw  a  night  or  day  like  that.  The  train  was 
parked  as  many  as  ten  times  during  that  night,  and  ready 
to  be  destroyed  and  burned,  if  necessary,  rather  than  it 
should  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  However,  we  got 
through  all  right,  and  when  within  two  hundred  yards  of 
Wolf  Run  we  came  to  a  very  steep  bank  running  down  into 
a  ditch  or  brook,  which  was  in  an  extremely  bad  condition 
on  account  of  so  many  wagons  passing  through  it.  The 
officer  in  command,  seeing  our  gun,  ordered  it  to  be  tipped 
over  down  the  bank  into  the  stream,  which  I  would  not  al 
low  him  to  do,  claiming  that  I  could  pull  it  through;  and, 
after  considerable  talk,  and,  by  putting  on  a  bold  froni,  lie 
gave  me  permission  to  try,  and  I  pulled  it  through,  but  at 
one  time  the  situation  looked  dubious.  The  cascabel  knob 
caught  in  some  brush  as  it  went  into  the  brook.  It  was 
a  severe  strain  on  the  team,  but  they  were1  good  horses,  and, 
pulling  all  together,  went  through  safely.  The  officer  who 
wanted  to  tip  it.  over,  shouted  out,  as  the  gun  caught  in  the 
brush:  "I  told  you  so!"  thinking  we  had  blocked  the  way; 
bul  in  an  instant  the  team  pulled  through,  and  he  1hen  said 
lo  me:  "Thai  is  the  best  artillery  team  I  ever  saw!"  For 
twentv  vards  down  into  the  run  it  iiave  mv  horses  all  thev 


1863.]  RATIDAN    TO    CENTKEVILLE  253 

could  do  to  keep  on  their  feel,  as  I  had  no  way  to  block  1lie 
wheels  to  help  them.  \Ye  landed  in  the  run  a  little  mure 
than  knee-deep  to  ihe  horses,  but  at  last  came  out  all  right. 
The  drivers  and  horses  then  got  a  good  drink,  which  was 
very  refreshing,  and  of  which  we  stood  very  much  in  need. 
Daylight  coming  on  we  were  ordered  to  cam])  anywhere  we1 
could  find  a  place,  so  AVC  lurned  into  a  field  and  parked. 
Not  having  anything  for  the  horses  to  eat,  I  searched  the 
Avagons  until  1  came  to  one  loaded  with  grain,  and  soon  had 
a  good  supply.  After  the  horses  had  been  attended  to,  we 
lay  down  and  soon  fell  asleep,  for  we  were  very  tired,  and 
it  had  been  seventy-two  hours  since  we  had  left  Culpepper. 
with  not  over  six  hours'  rest  in  the  meantime.  Our  horses 
were  about  ready  io  give  out  Ihrough  sheer  exhaustion.  We 
slept  until  after  nine  o'clock,  and,  after  eating  our  rations 
and  feeding  the  horses,  we  started  out  to  find  the  battery, 
which  we  did,  not  far. from  Blackburn's  Ford,  on  Kull  Run 
stream,  near  Cub  Run  and  Centreville,  where  we  had  lost 
fhe  guns  of  our  battery  at  Hie  first  battle  of  Bull  Run. 

After  our  guns  were  disabled  and  we  were  obliged  to 
leave  the  field,  the  few  remaining  guns  held  their  position 
and  compelled  the  enemy  to  retire.  After  dark  a  rebel  bat 
tery  opened  on  our  troops  from  the  extreme  left,  but  did  not 
get  the  range.  Our  live  guns  changed  front  and  opened  on 
the  rebels  in  return,  which  soon  silenced  them  and  put  them 
to  ilight.  This  ended  the  engagemenl  for  the  day.  and  the 
Second  and  Third  .Divisions  of  the  Second  Corps  had  won  a 
brilliant  victory,  capturing  five  pieces  of  artillery,  two  flags, 
and  over  five  hundred  prisoners.  In  these  two  days'  fight 
ing  Lee's  losses  at  Auburn  and  Bristoe  Station  were  in 
killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  over  l.LMM).  Of  the  Confed 
erates  in  our  front  the  greatest  losses  were  in  Hill's  corps. 
Cook's  and  Kirkland's  brigades  made  the  charge,  supported 
by  those1  of  Davis  and  Walker.  The  guns  captured  were 
Poague's.  which,  as  I  have*  already  mentioned,  were  of  Eng 
lish  make.  Through  the  night  our  corps  marched  or  drag- 


254  BATTEKY    A,    FIRST    II.   1.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [Oct., 

lied  itself  along1  to  Blackburn  Ford,  on  Bull  Run  Creek, 
and  went  into  camp  along-  the  run  near  Centreville,  where 
T  found  them  on  the  morning  of  the  15th.  The  losses  in  our 
battery  were:  Killed,  Philip  Creighton,  head  taken  off  by 
a  shell;  John  Moran,  mortally  wounded.  Wounded, 
Michael  Desmond,  attached  man  from  the  Fifteenth  Massa 
chusetts;  James  Gardner,  Patrick  Healey.  and  Theodore 
Reichardt.  Four  horses  were  killed  and  three  wounded. 

It  was  at  this  battle  that  our  guidon  bearer,  John  F. 
Leach,  again  distinguished  himself  and  displayed  rare  cour 
age  and  good  judgment.  If  the  brave  deeds  he  accom 
plished  were  brought  to  the  attention  of  our  govern 
ment,  there  is  no  doubt  his  gallant  and  meritorious  ser 
vices  would  be  recognized  and  suitably  rewarded.  He  had 
been  detailed  by  our  captain  to  Battery  B,  at  that  time  com 
manded  by  Lieut.  T.  Fred  Brown,  a  former  corporal  of  our 
battery,  to  act  as  bugler  and  guidon  bearer.  During  the 
right  he  performed  an  important  service  by  picking  up  a 
number  of  stragglers  and  putting  them  in  a  ravine  and  fore 
inff  them  to  stay  there  and  keep  up  a  brisk  fire  upon  the 
enemy,  thereby  preventing  them  from  getting  between  our 
corps  and  the  Fifth  Corps  who  had  marched  away  and  left 
us  to  our  fate.  I  will  here  insert  an  article  written  to  the 
Providence  Journal  by  Lieutenant  BroAvn,  shortly  after  the 
battle: 

"Battery  B,  under  command  of  Lieut.  T.  Fred  Brown,  had 
two  narrow  escapes  in  the  battle  at  Bristoe  Station.  The 
battery  was  moving  quietly  along  the  north  side  of  the  rail 
road,  the  troops  being  on  the  opposite  side,  when  the  en 
emy's  skirmishers  suddenly  opened  and  advanced  upon  the 
battery.  Nothing  was  to  be  done  but  go  ahead,  as  no 
countermarching  could  be  done,  and  a  high  railroad  em 
bankment  was  on  the  right.  The  command,  'Gallop !  march  ! 
was  given,  and  by  sheer  good  luck  the  battery  run  the  gaunt 
let,  crossed  the  railroad,  and  joined  our  troops  without 
loss.  Some  time  later  in  the  engagement  the  battery  was 


1863.]  KAPIDAN    TO    CENTRE VILLK  255 

ordered  to  cross  Broad  Run,  as  our  infantry  were  crossing. 
To  find  a  crossing  for  the  battery  it  was  necessary  to  pro 
ceed  some  distance  down  the  stream,  and  lo,  and  behold, 
after  crossing,  none  of  our  troops  are  to  be  seen ;  they  had 
recrossed,  and  the  battery  was  alone,  with  no  support,  and 
the  enenvy  just  over  the  track.  The  position  was  too  advan 
tageous  for  enfilading  the  enemy  to  be  neglected,  support 
or  no  support,  and  so  fire  was  immediately  opened.  The 
bugler,  John  F.  Leach,  seeing  the  strait,  drew  his  sabre  and 
speedily  collected  thirteen  stragglers  (from  every  division 
in  the  army),  formed  them  into  a  skirmish  line,  led  them 
across  the  railroad,  urged  them  further  on  and  posted  them, 
and  just  in  time,  for  the  enemy's  skirmishers  were  just  ad 
vancing  when  the  bugler's  thirteen  men  opened  upon  them 
and  drove  them  back,  probably  giving  them  the  idea  that  a 
sufficient  infantry  force  was  supporting  the  battery.  As 
the  buglei  rode  up  and  down  his  line,  keeping  his  men  up 
at  the  point  of  his  sabre,  bullet  after  bullet  was  sent  after 
him,  but  all  to  no  effect.  One  rebel  sharpshooter  mounted 
a  tree  and  sent  his  regards  to  the  bugler,  but  the  latter, 
thinking  that  the  bullet  could  not  have  come  from  the  sky, 
looked  up  and  discovered  the  cause,  and,  in  a  moment,  three 
of  his  men  were  sighting  upon  the  greyback ;  three  rifles 
cracked  together,  and  down  fell  the  sly  rebel  from  his  perch. 
For  one  hour  the  brave  bugler  kept  his  position,  for  it  was 
not  till  the  expiration  of  that  time  that  infantry  supports 
could  be  spared  and  could  reach  the  battery. 

"Later  in  the  engagement  the  bugler's  horse  was  shot, 
and,  falling  on  top  of  him,  injured  him  badly.  While  rais 
ing  himself  from  the  ground  a  piece  of  a  shell  hit  him  in  the 
right  leg,  cutting  it  so  badly  that  it  had  to  be  sewed  up. 
.Still  the  brave  bugler  stayed  with  the  battery,  suffering 
from  his  wound,  until  he  was  called  back  to  his  own  bat 
tery.  Battery  A,  First  Rhode  Island.  Sergt.  Amos  Olney, 
of  this  battery,  dressed  his  wounds  and  brought  him 
through  all  right. 


25(>  BATTKKY    A,     FIRST    I!.    I.     LKiHT    AUT1LLKUY        [Oct., 

"The  bugler's  horse1  was  so  badly  wounded  that  Lieut.  T. 
Fred  Brown,  commanding  officer  of  the  battery,  ordered  the 
horse  shot." 

Onr  battery  had  been  detained  at  Auburn,  and  were 
engaged  fighting  with  Stuart's  and  Jones's  batteries,  and 
had  laken  the  rear  with  the  First  Division,  until  Catlett's 
was  readied;  ihen,  being  on  that  march  attached  to  Hays's 
Third  Division,  started  for  Bristoe  with  that  command, 
Rickett's  Pennsylvania  battery  taking  its  place,  so  that 
when  the  First  and  Third  Brigades  of  Webb's  Second  Di 
vision  was  attacked,  Arnold's  battery  (A),  not  that  of 
Hi-own  or  Rickett,  ran  into  battery  along  the  railroad, 
as  I  have  already  described,  and  drove  the  enemy  back,  and 
so  disabled  INmgue's  battery,  that  our  infantry  went  up  and 
secured  the  guns,  as  I  have  already  mentioned.  According 
to  all  accounts  from  Hill,  Stuart,  and  Colonel  Meridian, 
of  the  Confederate  army,  EwelFs  mistake  of  overestimating 
our  force  at  Auburn  was  the  salvation  of  the  Second  Corps. 

At  this  battle  the  Second  Corps  numbered  about  eight 
thousand  men,  with  one  brigade  guarding  trains.  The  Sec 
ond  and  Third  divisions  bore  the  brunt  of  the  fighting 
against  Heth's  and  Anderson's  (Confederate)  forces,  our 
First  Division  being  posted  in  our  rear  on  the  lookout  for 
Ewell.  The  corps  lost  during  the  day  at  Auburn  and  Bris 
toe,  31  officers  and  354  men  killed  and  wounded.  Two  offi 
cers  and  1.51)  men  (without  doubt  some  of  whom  were  killed 
and  wounded)  were  missing.  For  such  a  mixed-up  affair, 
being  cut  off  and  assailed  on  thinks  and  rear,  it  is  a  wonder 
that  our  losses  were  no  larger.  The  Confederate  losses 
were  much  heavier  than  ours,  for  they  were  caught  on  their 
flank  in  an  exposed  position  at  Bristoe.  Their  losses  were 
reported  at  782  officers  and  men  killed  and  wounded.  With 
the  prisoners  captured  at  Bristoe,  their  losses  were  said  to 
be  1,244  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  including  three1  gen 
eral  officers,  five  guns,  and  two  colors. 

Of  the  1.61   (Union)   missing.  71   were  from   Brooke's  brig- 


FIRST  LIEUT.  PETER  HUNT. 

Enrolled  as  Sergeant  Battery  C  ;jFirst  Sergeant ;  Second  Lieutenant  Battery  A 

first   Lieutenant  same    battery ;    mortally   wounded   in   action  at 

Totopotomoy    or    Swift    Creek,   Va.,   May,   1864. 


1868.]  CEXTKEV1LLE    TO    KAPIDAN  257 

ade  at  Auburn.  Tin1  First  Division  lost  11  killed  and  65 
wounded  at  that  place.  The  Second  Division  lost  17  killed 
and  1.01  wounded.  The  three  regiments  losing  the  most 
were  the  Forty  second  and  Eighty-second  New  York,  and  the 
First  Minnesota.  The  losses  in  the  Third  Division  were  20 
killed  and  145  wounded.  The  Twenty-sixth  New  York  and 
Twelfth  New  Jersey  were  the  heaviest  losers.  The  Third 
Brigade  lost  12  killed  and  91  wounded.  The  artillery  brig 
ade  lost  2  killed  and  24  wounded. 

Our  battery  lost  2  killed  and  4  wounded  at  Hristoe,  and 
.'J  wounded  at  Auburn,  besides  Lieutenant  Lamb,  who  was 
wounded  slightly  in  the  hand. 

The  l()th  was  cloudy  and  disagreeable.  About  nine 
o'clock  it  began  to  rain  hard  and  lasted  all  day.  The  troops 
were1  enjoying  a  much  needed  rest  after  all  the  hardships 
and  trials  they  had  encountered,  and  not  knowing  what 
m'ght  befall  them  in  the  near  future.  The  battery  moved 
cam])  that  day  near  the  mouth  of  Cub  Run. 

The  17th  was  damp  and  chilly  after  the  rain.  The  bat 
tery  drew  a  new  gun  for  the  disabled  one.  We  then  hitched 
up  and  went  to  the  support  of  some  cavalry  that  were  out 
on  a  reconnoissance,  and  to  protect  the  engineers  while  they 
were  laying  a  bridge  across  Cub  Run.  Artillery  firing  was 
quite  sharp  through  the  day  in  the  direction  of  Warrenton. 
Our  corps  was  re-enforced  by  two  regiments.  The  One 
Hundred  and  Thirty-second  New  York  joined  the  First 
Brigade.  Second  Division;  the  Twenty-sixth  Michigan 
joined  the  First  Brigade.  First  Division;  Battery  I,  First 
United  State's  Artillery,  was  mounted  and  went  with  the 
cavalry.  Weir's  Battery  C,  Fifth  United  States,  taking 
their  place.  Independent  Battery  C,  of  Pennsylvania, 
joined  our  artillery  brigade. 

On  the  IStli  the  cam])  was  very  quiet.  Artillery  firing 
was  heard  in  the  direction  of  Manassas.  It.  was  reported 
that  our  cavalry  had  had  a  sharp  engagement  near  Bristoe 

17 


258  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    11.    I.    LKJHT    ARTILLERY        [Oct., 

Station.  The  weather  that  night  was  cold  and  disagree 
able. 

The  19th,  at  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  it  began  to  rain. 
Shortly  after  daylight  our  corps,  with  the  Third,  crossed 
Bull  Run,  and  marched  by  way  of  Manassas  Junction  to 
within  two  miles  of  Bristoe,  a  distance  of  about  ten  miles. 
The  troops  carried  with  them  extra  rations.  The  railroad 
had  been  broken  by  the  rebels. 

The  20th  was  dam])  and  cold.  We  broke  camp  about 
seven,  passed  the  Bristoe  battlefield,  and  marched  as  far  as 
Coffee  Hill,  Auburn,  about  eighteen  miles.  Second  Lieut. 
James  P.  Rhodes  having  resigned,  left  for  home. 

The  21st  was  one  of  those  foggy  mornings  such  as  we  had 
on  the  14th  when  the  rebels  were  shelling  us.  Our  troops 
buried  some  soldiers  that  were  killed  on  the  14th.  The 
Third  Corps  left  us  that  day. 

The  22d  was  another  foggy  morning.  About  two  o'clock 
p.  M.,  we  changed  camp  ntw  Auburn  and  went  to  Cedar 
Run.  There  were  no  signs  of  the  enemy,  yet  it  would  not 
have  been  much  of  a  surprise  to  us  if  they  had  appeared  at 
any  moment,  judging  from  our  previous  experiences. 

The  28d  was  another  foggy  day.  \Ve  broke  camp  at  eight 
in  the  morning  and  marched  about  two  miles  to  near  Tur 
key  Run,  not  far  from  Warrenton.  Our  cam])  was  a  very 
pleasant  one. 

The  24th  was  clear  and  cool.  There  were1  no  signs  of 
moving,  and  everything  was  quiet  in  camp.  Our  battery  re 
mained  at  this  cam])  two  weeks,  getting  a  fine  rest  and 
making  general  repairs. 

On  the  2()th  there  was  some  artillery  tiring  off  at  a  con 
siderable  distance.  We  were  ordered  to  pack  and  be  ready 
to  move  at  a  moment's  notice,  but  did  not  hitch  up. 

On  the  28th  there  was  report  of  a  skirmish  between  the 
cavalry  near  Bealton  Station. 

On  the  81st  we  were  mustered  for  two  months'  pay,  and 
about  noon  of  the  same  day  we  had  mounted  inspection  by 
Col.  J.  Albert  Monroe,  chief  of  artillery. 


1863.]  CENTREVJLLE    TO    UAPIDAX 

November  3d  was  a  pleasant  day.  Our  horses  were  in 
fine  condition,  all  being  newly  shod. 

On  the  Gth  the  weather  was  fine.  Everything  was  pol 
ished  up,  and  we  participated  in  the  review  of  the  Second 
Corps.  The  artillery,  under  command  of  Colonel  Monroe, 
made  a  fine  appearance. 

The  7th  was  clear  and  cold.  We  received  orders  about 
six  o'clock  to  move,  and,  about  (>.3(),  broke  camp  and  started 
oji  a  forced  march  to  the  Rappahannock.  At  .Heal ton  we 
took  the  road  to  Kelly's  Ford  and  marched  through  Morris-* 
ville,  to  the  ford,  where  the  Third  Corps  crossed  and  cap 
tured  about  three  hundred  .prisoners,  with  a  slight  loss  on 
our  side.  Our  corps  went  into  camp  near  the  ford  before 
crossing.  The  Sixth  Corps  was  reported  to  have  made  a 
grand  assault  on  the  works  at  the  railroad  bridge,  and  cap 
tured  fifteen  hundred  prisoners,  four  guns,  and  six  stands 
of  colors. 

On  the  Stll,  Sunday,  it  was  clear  and  cool.  \Ve  were 
turned  out  early,  and,  about  (5.30  A.  M.,  crossed  the  river  and 
formed  in  line  of  battle  with  the  Third  Corps,  and  found  the 
enemy  had  gone.  Ewell's  division  had  been  holding  the 
ford,  and  had  begun  to  build  winter  quarters.  Some  of 
them  were  very  cozy  and  substantial.  The  prisoners  taken 
were  well  clothed,  had  good  English  shoes  and  blankets, 
which  was  evidence  that  the  blockade  had  not  kept  the  reb 
els  from  obtaining  needed  supplies.  \Ve  advanced  about 
two  miles  and  went  into  cam])  in  the  vicinity  of  Berry  Mill, 
near  Stevensburgh,  with  the  headquarters  of  the  Second 
Corps  in  the  Thorns  house,  a  fine  old  mansion  command 
ing  a  view  of  the  country  for  miles  in  every  direction.  AYe 
remained  at  this  camp  until  the  24th  of  November. 

On  the  10th  we  changed  our  cam])  nearer  to  Stevensburgh 
in  a  more  sheltered  place.  The  artillery  of  the  Second 
Corps  all  camped  together. 

On  the  12th  we  received  two  months'  pay,  which  made  a 
great  change  in  our  financial  condition.  Everybody  was 
(lush  with  money,  and  the  sutler  reaped  a  rich  harvest. 


BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.     LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [Nov., 

On  the  in tli  wo  received  an  order  to  be  ready  to  march  at 
a  moment's  notice.  After  packing  and  getting  ready,  other 
orders  were  received  countermanding  the  previous  one. 
Heavy  cannonading  on  the  Rapidan  was  the  cause  of  our 
preparations  to  move. 

On  the  1.6th  we  had  an  inspection.  Col.  J.  Albert  Mon 
roe  was  the  inspecting  officer.  It  was  reported  that  we 
were  to  go  into  winter  quarters. 

The  17th  was  fair  but  cold.  Every  day  routine  of  camp 
.duty  was  performed.  As  no  one  knew  whether  our  stay 
there  was  to  be  long  or  short,  there  was  no  effort  made  to 
construct  quarters  for  the  winter. 

On  the  18th  we  made  preparations  for  a  review  which 
was  to  be  given  in  honor  of  some  foreign  officials  who  were 
visiting  our  army.  We  hitched  up  and  waited  a  long  time 
before  they  appeared.  They  finally  came  and  rode  past  our 
battery.  They  were  a  queer-looking  lot.  One  officer,  who 
was  very  tall,  and  slightly  built,  had  a  very  small  cap  on 
top  of  his  head  with  a  strap  under  his  chin.  He  was,  in 
deed,  a  comical  looking  sight  to  behold  on  horseback. 

Sunday,  the  22d,  came  out  clear  and  quite  warm  at  mid 
day.  The  men  drew  neAV  clothes,  and,  after  dressing  up 
in  their  new  suits,  looked  like  a  different  set  of  men.  In 
the  afternoon  I  went  with  some  of  the  battery  to  Stevens- 
burgh  and  heard  Mrs.  Emma  1).  E.  N.  Southworth  lecture, 
and  was  much  pleased  with  her.  She  was  a  most  interest 
ing  speaker.  1  was  somewhat  surprised  to  see  a  good-sized, 
portly,  and  motherly  looking  woman.  I  had  expected  to 
see  rather  a  slightly-built  lady  of  middle  age.  The  object 
of  her  lecture  was  to  raise  money  for  the  Soldiers'  Relief 
Corps. 

On  the  24th  a  cold  rainstorm  set  in,  which  made  it  very 
uncomfortable.  We  received  orders  to  march,  and  began 
to  pack  up  and  get  ready  for  it  when  the  order  was  counter 
manded.  Part  of  our  corps,  however,  did  march  towards 
the  Rapidan. 


1868.]  MINE  RUN  261 


CHAPTER  XVI 

MINK  RUN. 

OX  November  26th  we  were  routed  out  before  day 
break,  and,  after  a  hurried  breakfast,  about  6.30 
A.  M.,  marched,  Avith  the  Second  Corps  in  the  centre, 
toward  Gerniania  Ford,  and  went  into  position  to  cover 
the  crossing  of  our  cavalry.  We  waited  a  long  time  for  the 
Third  Corps  to  make  their  appearance.  The  Third  and 
Sixth  corps  were  expected  to  cross  on  our  right  at  Jacob's 
Mill  Ford,  and  the  First  and  Fifth  at  Culpepper  Mine  Ford 
on  our  left,  but,  as  usual,  we  were  delayed  by  somebody's 
blunder.  At  length,  after  all  was  ready,  the  cavalry  and 
some  of  the  infantry  crossed  through  the  icy  waters,  waist 
deep,  the  enemy's  vedettes  falling  back  rapidly  on  the  ap 
proach  of  our  troops.  Our  engineers  immediately  began 
hiving  the  bridge,  and,  when  near  the  opposite  bank,  found 
out  there  were  two  or  three  boats  short. 

After  a  long  delay  the  bridge  was  laid,  and  our  corps 
crossed,  marching  four  miles  to  what  was  called  Flat  Run 
rhurch  instead  of  Robertson's  Tavern,  as  had  been  planned. 
The  right  column  was  even  more  backward,  as  some  of  the 
troops  did  not  cross  the  ford  at  Jacob's  Mill  before  morning. 
After  arriving  the  corps  formed  in  line  of  battle  about  eight 
o'clock.  The  weather  was  bitterly  cold,  and  there  being 
plenty  of  rails  and  wood  everybody  was  busy  making  fires 
and  trying  to  keep  warm. 

On  the  27th  it  was  very  cold.  Shortly  after  six  we 
started  on  a  forced  march  for  Robertson's  Tavern  over  the 
(lermania  plank  road  as  far  as  the  turnpike,  where  we 
turned  short  to  the  right  and  kept  up  a  rapid  march  until 


262  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [Nov., 

within  two  miles  of  Robertson's,  where  our  skirmishers,  of 
Hays's  Third  Division,  struck  the  enemy's  vedettes,  who  re 
tired  in  haste,  followed  by  our  cavalry  in  hot  pursuit  until 
a  little  after  ten  o'clock.  We  reached  Robertson's,  where 
our  cavalry  and  Carroll's  brigade  were  having  a  sharp  en 
gagement  with  Webb's  Second  Division  on  the  right,  and, 
for  awhile,  the  lighting  was  sharp.  As  we  stood  on  the 
summit  of  a  hill  in  the  heavy  timber  we  could  see  very 
plainly  the  fighting  on  the  right.  General  Hays's  forces 
were  fighting  in  a  thicket.  General  Warren  and  staff  made 
their  headquarters  near  by  us.  We  could  hear  the  different 
commands  very  distinctly  as  they  were  given.  An  orderly 
came  up  and  said  that  General  Webb  desired  a  battery. 
Captain  Arnold,  on  hearing  it,  rode  up  and  said  to  General 
Warren,  ''General,  let  my  battery  go."  After  giving  or 
ders  to  the  orderly  which  battery  to  take,  he  said  to  our 
captain,  "When  I  want  your  battery  I  will  let  you  know. 
I  have  a  place  for  it  picked  out."  We  remained  standing 
there  until  dark,  with  sharp  skirmishing  going  on  all  the 
time.  By  the  talk  we  could  hear,  and,  by  the  anxiety  mani 
fested  among  the  officers,  it  was  plain  that  something  was 
wrong.  It  turned  out  that  General  French,  after  his  un 
fortunate  movement  at  the  ford,  had  now  taken  the  wrong 
road.  While  he  was  expected  to  join  our  corps  on  our  right 
he  had  not  arrived,  and  it  was  very  uncertain  when  he 
would  put  in  an  appearance.  Tins  movement  caused  the 
loss  of  another  day,  which,  in  times  like  those,  were  apt  to 
make  a  great  difference  to  the  plans  of  a  campaign.  While 
standing  here  during  the  afternoon,  General  Hays  came  to 
headquarters  to  make  a  report.  There  were  a  number  of 
foreign  officers  visiting  our  army,  who  were  desirous  of  see 
ing  the  manoeuvres  of  our  troops  upon  the  field.  General 
Hays  was  introduced  to  them  and  asked  if  he  would  take 
charge  of  the  visitors.  That  great  bluff-hearted  soldier  im 
mediately  replied,  "Certainly,  with  great  pleasure,  gentle 
men,  come  on.*'  And  awav  he  went,  with  the  group  of  vis- 


1863.]  MINE  RUN  263 

itors  trailing  after  him.  When  near  the  skirmish  line, 
which  was  in  Hie  woods,  the  1ml lets  were  living  around 
thickly,  but  still  Hays  kept  on,  when  one  of  the  visitors 
said:  "Ah!  general!  isn't  this  the  skirmish  line?"  The 
general  replied:  "Of  course  it  is,  and,  if  you  wish  to  see 
the  Yankees  light,  yon  must  go  where  they  are."  But  they 
could  not  see  it  in  that  way,  and  retired  to  a  safer  locality. 

We  went  into  park  in  the  woods  near  the  road,  and  built 
immense  tires,  as  the  wood  was  very  plentiful  there.  It 
turned  out  that  French,  after  getting  started  on  the  right 
road,  ran  into  .Johnson's  division  of  Karly's  Corps,  and, 
while  Ihe  Third  and  Sixth  corps  should  have  been  able  to 
have  overwhelmed  a  division  like  that,  the  head  of  French's 
column  got  the  worst  of  it  at  a  place  called  Morris,  caus 
ing  a  loss  to  French  of  seven  hundred,  while  Johnson's  loss 
was  about  live  hundred.  The  Third  and  Sixth  corps  then 
formed  a  compact  line  of  battle,  which,  with  some  little 
fighting,  occasioned  the  delay  of  a  whole  day.  After  Gen 
eral  Meade  had  placed  himself  in  communication  with  them., 
the  Sixth  Corps  passed  French,  and,  taking  the  lead  by  a 
forced  inarch,  reached  Robertson's  before  morning,  joining 
the  Second  Corps  on  the  right,  while  the  First  and  Fifth 
came  up  and  joined  us  on  the  left. 

The  iJSth  was  very  cold  and  cloudy.  Our  whole  army 
was  formed  in  line  of  battle  stretching  across  the  turnpike, 
until  we  reached  the  valley  of  Mine  Kun.  where  they  had 
chosen  a  strong  position  on  a  rugged  hill,  thrown  up  earth 
works  and  felled  trees,  while  our  army  had  been  delayed  by 
General  French,  commanding  the  Third  Corps. 

About  ten  o'clock,  when  the  enemy's  skirmishers  had  been 
driven  back  upon  their  entrenchments  they  had  constructed 
during  the  night,  our  advance  was  suddenly  checked  and 
our  battery  quickly  placed  in  position  where  we  had  a  good 
view  of  the  country.  We  were  then  ordered  to  advance  and 
open  fire  upon  the  enemy.  Our  unexpected  firing  seemed 
to  have  a  damaging  effect  upon  their  infantry.  But  we 


264  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.     I.     LKIHT    ARTILLERY       [Nov., 

were  not  permitted  to  remain  long  unmolested,  as  two  of 
their  batteries  opened  upon  us  and  we  were  soon  ordered  to 
withdraw,  as  our  position  was  a  very  exposed  one.  We 
withdrew  to  the  rear,  where  the  ground  formed  a  ravine, 
and,  shortly,  on  our  left,  Webb's  United  States  and  Rick- 
ett's  Pennsylvania  batteries  opened  very  lively  upon  them. 
Our  battery  was  again  ordered  into  our  first  position,  when 
all  our  men  went  to  work  with  a  will,  throwing  up  earth 
works  around  our  guns.  During  the  evening  our  corps  was 
relieved  by  the  Fifth  Corps,  and  we  fell  back  to  Robertson's 
Tavern.  It  had  been  raining  nearly  all  day,  and  the  road 
was  almost  impassable.  We  had  one  man,  William  H.  Bur- 
rill,  who  was  wounded  by  a  shell,  which  broke  his  arm. 

The  29th  was  damp  and  cold.  After  a  quick  breakfast, 
about  seven  o'clock  we  started,  going  about  due  south  from 
Robertson's,  then  sharp  to  the  west  until  we  passed  Hope 
Church.  Shortly  after  passing  the  latter  place  we  struck 
the  head  branch  of  Mine  Run,  and,  as  near  as  I  could  judge, 
not  far  from  our  position  of  the  day  before.  We  were  in 
light  marching  order,  and  our  caissons  were  left  at  Robert 
son's.  There  was  some  skirmishing  there  with  the  cavalry, 
and  a  brigade  under  Col.  Nelson  A.  Miles  was  sent  up  an 
unfinished  railroad,  running  parallel  with  the  Plank  road 
upon  which  we  were  marching.  A  few  cavalry  vedettes 
were  all  that  was  encountered,  when  a  messenger  of  Gregg's 
cavalry  came  dashing  in  and  reported  that  the  cavalry  had 
been  cut  in  two  and  their  train  captured.  This  caused 
more  delay,  and  much  valuable  time  was  lost.  We  after 
wards  learned  that  the  report  of  the  capture  of  our  wagon 
train  was  false. 

There  were  only  three  batteries  along  wTith  our  corps. 
Battery  B  and  the  Napoleon  gun  battery  remained  on  the 
Plank  road,  Weir's  United  States,  Rickett's  Pennsylvania, 
and  Arnold's  Rhode  Island  battery  of  rifle  guns,  were  taken 
along.  One  of  our  sections  had  been  out  in  support  of  the 
cavalry  about  all  day.  Our  position  seemed  to  be  a  fine 


1863.]  MINE     RUN  265 

one,  as  we  had  aii  extended  view  in  all  directions.  We  were 
on  the  extreme  left  of  our  line,  and  could  see  cavalry  mass 
ing  in  our  front  and  left.  The  enemy  fired  upon  us  with 
their  artillery  at  times,  and  skirmishing  had  taken  place. 
Tt  was  a  grand  sight  that  night  to  look  at  the  bright  camp- 
fires  of  the  two  contending  armies,  who  were  confronting 
each  other  ready  for  battle  the  next  morning.  Tt  was  very 
cold,  nearly  down  to  zero;  pickets  had  to  be  changed  every 
half-hour  to  keep  them  from  freezing. 

The  30th  was  bitterly  cold.  All  of  our  Second  Corps  was 
in  position,  and  Terry's  division  of  the  Sixth  Corps  was 
sent  to  General  Warren,  who  was  in  command  of  the  left 
wing  of  the  army,  witli  two  divisions  of  the  Third  Corps  un 
der  Prince  and  Carr,  which  made  the  Second  Corps  six  di 
visions  strong,  and  it  is  doubtful  if  ever  there  were  six  divi 
sions  together  that  equaled  them.  Our  position  was  a  most 
favorable  one,  and  made  me  think  of  Gettysburg  witli  every 
thing  so  still  and  two  powerful  armies  watching  each 
other  and  waiting  for  the  onset.  While  a  group  of  us  stood 
near  the  guns,  looking  and  talking,  a  shell  came  toward  us 
so  quick  and  so  close  that  we  did  not  hear  it  until  it  had 
passed  over,  and  it  made  every  one  keep  away  from  the  guns 
unless  ordered  there.  The  shell  came4  from  a  battery  of 
horse  artillery  on  our  left  front.  Our  left  section  was  or 
dered  to  take  position  on  a  sharp  knoll,  and  to  open  on  a 
line  of  infantry  we  could  see  forming  along  a  wall  about 
half  a  mlie  on  our  left  front.  The  cannoneers  were  mounted 
on  the  limbers,  and  we  started  to  the  rear  for  a  short  dis 
tance,  the  knoll  was  distinctly  pointed  out,  so  that  no  mis 
take  should  be  made,  and  when  we  received  the  order  we 
were  to  go.  as  fast  as  our  horses  could  go  into  position,  ac 
tion  front,  with  both  guns  loaded  with  case  shot.  After 
everything  was  ready  we  received  the  order,  and  it  was  a 
fine  movement,  the  remaining  guns  of  our  battery  support 
ing  us.  My  horses  never  acted  better.  We  went  as  rapidly 
as  the  horses  could  be  driven,  and,  as  soon  as  the  trails  were 


266  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [NoY., 

on  the  ground,  our  gunners  were  at  their  posts  sighting 
their  pieces.  ]>y  the  time  we  had  swung  our  horses  in  rear 
of  the  gun  facing  it,  the  first  shot  was  fired,  and  it  was  one 
of  the  best  1  ever  saw.  The  shell  struck  on  top  of  the  wall 
behind  which  the  rebel  infantry  were  massing.  They  broke 
and  ran  to  the  rear.  It  was  a  great  surprise  from  an  unex 
pected  quarter.  After  we  had  fired  about  a  dozen  shots,  a 
rebel  battery,  which  we  took  to  be  horse  artillery,  opened 
on  us,  but  did  not  get  our  range  before  we  drove  them  away. 
In  the  meantime  our  whole  line  had  been  strengthened. 
The  day  passed  without  a  general  engagement  being 
brought  on  between  the  combatants.  Our  section  had 
about  as  hard  a  skirmish  as  any  of  our  troops  had  experi 
enced  through  the  day,  and  there  were  many  conjectures 
concerning  the  cause  of  our  not  having  had  an  engagement. 
One  thing  was  evident,  however,  that  if  an  attack  was  to 
be  made  it  should  be  done  before  the  enemy  entrenched 
themselves,  which  they  apparently  had  done.  l>y  the  ap 
pearance  of  their  works,  as  seen  from  our  position,  they 
seemed  to  be  very  strongly  built.  The  order  of  the  Union 
corps  was  as  follows:  Sedgwiek's  Sixth  Corps,  lacking 
Terry's  division,  on  our  extreme  right;  this  corps,  with 
Sykes's  Fifth  Corps,  holding  the  ground  north  of  the  old 
turnpike.  On  the  south  of  the  pike  was  Newton's  First 
Corps,  and  French  with  one  division  of  his  Third  Corps, 
his  other  division  being  with  Warren,  who,  with  the  Second 
Corps  and  the  three1  extra  divisions  from  the  Third  and 
Sixth,  were  holding  the  extreme  left,  separated  from  French 
and  Newton  about  one  mile  by  heavy  woods  and  two  small 
creeks.  Warren's  command  numbered  about  twenty-six 
thousand  men.  The  whole  army  faced  about  due  west. 
Some  of  the  men  of  our  divisions,  after  being  relieved  from 
picket,  came  up  past  the  battery  and  said  that  it  was  the 
gloomiest  sight  they  had  ever  beheld;  that  the  enemy's  po 
sition  was  fully  as  strong  as  at  Fredericksburg,  and  an 
open  space  of  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  with  a  good-sized  creek 


1863.]  .MINE  iiux  2f>7 

to  charge  tin-on"1]!  before  their  works  could  be  rear-lied;  and, 
that  the  troops  in  our  front,  who  were  to  make  the  charge, 
had,  nearly  to  a  man.  written  their  names  and  pinned  them 
on  their  coats  so  they  could  be  recognized  in  event  of  their 
being  killed.  It  appeared  to  onr  soldiers  that  there  was  no 
chance  to  escape.  Orders  had  been  received  by  all  onr 
troops  that,  at  the  firing  of  two  heavy  guns  on  The  right, 
the  artillery  was  to  open,  and,  after  bombarding  their  works 
for  awhile,  at  the  sound  of  a  bugle  the  artillery  was  to  cease 
tiring,  and  our  infantry  was  to  storm  the  enemy's  works. 
During  the  day  the  enemy's  troops  of  all  arms  could  be 
seen  passing  along  our  front,  and  at  times  we  opened  upon 
them.  In  this  way  there  was  considerable  cannonading  the 
whole  length  of  the  line.  At  one  time  we  could  see  large 
bodies  of  cavalry  massing  on  our  left.  During  the  night  Ihe 
cold  had  increased  steadily  for  hours,  and  had  become1  al 
most  unbearable.  "As  soon  as  it  became  light  in  the  morn 
ing,"  says  General  Morgan,  in  his  narrative1,  "the  men  com 
menced  to  peep  over  the  little  bluff  behind  which  they  were 
formed,  to  see  what  kind  of  a  task  was  before  them.  The 
sight  appeared,  generally,  to  give  very  little  satisfaction, 
and  1  saw  that  the  men  had  generally  made1  up  their  minds 
that  the  affair  was  desperate.  .  .  .  AVhile  on  the.  picket 
line,  reconnoitering,  my  uniform  concealed  by  a  soldier's 
overcoat,  1  asked  an  old  veteran  of  the  noble  First  Minne 
sota,  on  picket,  what  he  thought  of  the  prospect.  Not  rec 
ognizing  me  as  an  officer,  lie  expressed  himself  very  freely, 

declaring   it    a    *d d   sight    worse1    than    Fredericksburg.' 

and  adding,  "I  am  going  as  far  as  I  can  travel ;  but  we  can't 
get  more1  than  two-thirds  of  the  way  up  the1  hill.'  Expres 
sions  like  these  we're  common  among  our  men,  and  it.  was 
from  the1  same  division  where  the1  men  were  pinning  their 
names  to  their  coats.  The  signal  was  given  to  open  fre>m 
the  right,  but  General  Warren  had  countermanded  it,  and, 
mounting  his  horse,  set  him  in  motion  for  General  Meade's 
headquarters.  All  this  time  it  was  said  that  General 


268  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    I{.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [No\r., 

Meade  was  fretting'  and  chafing  to  know  where  General 
Warren  was,  and,  to  their  great  surprise,  he  soon  arrived  at 
Meade's  headquarters,  his  horse  covered  with  white  foam, 
having  driven  him  hard  in  order  to  give  General  Meade  a 
personal  and  succinct  report  of  the  condition  of  our 
troops." 

After  dark  we  were  ordered  to  move  out  as  quietly  as 
possible.  I  had  prepared  myself  a  bed  by  stamping  down 
a  very  scrubby  bunch  of  brush  near  my  horses,  flat  enough 
to  lie  down  upon,  and,  after  wrapping  my  blanket  around 
me,  1  lay  down  upon  it  and  was  sleeping  soundly  when 
Lieutenant  Lamb  shook  me  and  gave1  me  the  order  to  mount 
and  get  away  as  quietly  as  possible.  We  went  back  about 
two  miles,  to  Hope  Church,  on  what  was  called  the  Plank 
road,  but  all  I  could  see  was  mud,  and  the  worst  kind  of 
mud,  as  any  one  who  was  there  can  affirm. 

The  losses  of  our  corps  during  the  six  days  were  104 
killed  and  wounded;  and,  owing  to  the  negligence  of  the 
officer  charged  with  withdrawing  the  skirmish  line,  a  loss 
in  prisoners  was  sustained  of  about  one  hundred  good  men, 
who  were  left  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

December  1st  was  a.  bitter  cold  day.  We  remained  in 
park,  near  Hope  Church,  on  the  old  plank  road.  Our  right 
section  was  sent  back  to  guard  the  road  until  Prime1  and 
Carr's  divisions  of  the  Third  Corps  should  march,  as  they 
had  been  ordered  to  join  the  other  divisions  under  General 
French  near  Robertson's.  They  were  marching  past  us  all 
that  day.  Terry's  division  of  the  Sixth  Corps  also  passed 
us,  our  corps,  as  usual,  taking  the  rear.  Our  battery  re 
mained  until  the  last  brigade  had  started,  to  be  in  readiness 
to  open  upon  the  enemy  if  our  rear  guard  had  been  attacked. 
We  left  Hope  Church  about  ten  p.  M.,  and  crossed  the  Rapi- 
dan  about  four  o'clock  A.  M.,  the  next  morning.  It  was  a 
very  cold  night,  and,  with  the  moon  shining  brightly,  rapid 
progress  was  made  by  the  infantry.  The  Avoods  were  burn 
ing  fiercely  along  the  route,  and  it  was  reported  that  a  num- 


1863.]  MINE    RUN     RETREAT  269 

ber  of  wounded  were  burned,  and  that  some  of  our  men  had 
been  frozen  while  on  picket.  We  crossed  the  river  at  Cul- 
pepper  Ford.  We  were  compelled  to  march  at  a  rapid  gate 
in  order  to  keep  warm.  After  crossing-  the  pontoon  we 
rested  until  all  the  troops  were  across  and  the  bridge  taken 
awav.  The  enemy's  advance  came  in  sight  but  was  shelled 
by  onr  horse  artillery  which  kept  them  back.  We  arrived 
at  our  old  camp  on  the  Thorn's  plantation  about  six  o'clock. 

On  the  2d.  after  getting  back  1o  camp  in  the  morning  and 
caring  for  our  horses,  we  lay  down  and  endeavored  to  ob 
tain  some  rest,  as  it  was  the  only  opportunity  we  had  had 
since  leaving  our  old  cam])  some  seven  days  before.  I  do 
not  believe  there  was  a  man  awake  at  taps  except  the  guard 
on  duty.  The  campaign  had  been  a  hard  one  for  all. 

On  the  4th  the  weather  was  cold  in  the  morning,  but  at 
midday  it  was  quite  warm.  All  the  Second  Corps  artillery 
changed  camp  that  day  to  near  Stevensburgh. 

About  eight  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  nth  we  hitched 
up  and  marched  beyond  Stevensburgh  to  within  five  miles 
of  Culpepper.  It  was  a  barren  place,  with  no  w\)od  to 
burn,  and  a  hard  looking  place  for  winter  quarters. 

The  (>th  was  fine,  but  quite  cold  until  noon  when  it  was 
very  comfortable.  Second  Lieut.  .Jacob  H.  Lamb  was  trans 
ferred  that,  day  to  Battery  C,  having  been  promoted  to  first 
lieutenant  of  that  battery.  John  T.  Blake,  formerly  first 
sergeant  of  Battery  B,  came  to  our  battery  as  second  lieu 
tenant  to  till  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  transfer  of  Lieu 
tenant  Lamb  to  Battery  C. 

On  the  Tth  the  Second  Corps  marched  to  the  woods,  where 
they  found  plenty  of  material  to  build  winter  quarters. 
Our  batterv  followed  shortly  afterward. 


270 


BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [Dec., 


CHAPTER  XVII 

WINTER  QUARTERS  AT  MOUNTAIN  RUN. 

ON  the  8th  we  changed  our  camp  again  into  the  woods 
near  Brandy  Station  and  Mountain  Run,  where  we 
expected  to  go  into  winter  quarters. 

The  Oth  was  a  fine  day.  Cutting  wood  for  winter  quar 
ters  was  our  daily  occupation.  The  engineers  were  engaged 
in  building  a  bridge  over  Mountain  Run.  Samuel '  G.  Col- 
well  came  to  the  battery  that  day  as  second  lieutenant.  He 
had  formerly  been  a  sergeant  in  Battery  H. 

We  had  fine  weather  on  the  10th.-  The  artillery  brigade 
crossed  Mountain  Run  at  noon. 

On  the  llth  the  weather  still  continued  fine.  It  looked 
as  if  we  were  permanently  located  for  awhile,  as  orders  had 
been  given  to  build  winter  quarters,  and  everyone  was  busy 
in  their  construction.  A  general  order  was  read  in  line 
that  day  to  the  effect  that  veterans  desiring  to  re-enlist 
would  get  eight  hundred  dollars  and  a  furlough  for  thirty 
days. 

The  12th  was  cloudy  and  rainy  through  the  day.  The 
construction  of  winter  quarters  progressed  quite  rapidly, 
and  the  men  appeared  quite  cheerful  over  the  prospect  of 
a  season  of  rest.  It  was  reported  that  furloughs  would  be 
granted  for  ten  days  to  men  who  did  not  re-enlist. 

On  the  14th  the  weather  was  quite  warm.  Work  on  win 
ter  quarters  went  merrily  along.  The  horses  were  in  poor 
condition  on  account  of  insufficient  shelter  from  the  cold 
after  the  hard  work  they  had  undergone  in  the  late  cam 
paign. 

On  the  15th  the  weather  was  delightful.     Towards  even- 


1863.]  WINTER    QUARTERS,    MOUNTAIN    RUN  271 

ing  we  had  a  pi  me  of  ball.     Our  men  were  in  good  spirits, 
but  the  pool-  horses  appeared  to  be  failing  every  day. 

On  the  Kith  we  had  tine  weather  again.  We  had  an  in 
spection  that  dav,  and  Col.  J.  Albert  Monroe  was  the  in 
specting  officer.  It  proved  to  be  very  satisfactory?  Sergt. 
John  I>.  Thompson  went  home  that  day  on  a  furlough. 
Also  on  that  day  General  Warren  left  the  army  on  leave  of 
absence,  General  Caldwell  in  the  meanwhile  assumed  com 
maud  of  the  corps. 

We  were  favored  again  on  the  17th  with  tine  weather, 
and  ball  games  and  other  sports  were  going  on  in  camp. 
Captain  Arnold  left  for  home  on  a  ten  days'  furlough. 

The  18th  was  a  tine  day.  I  went  Avith  the  wagons  to 
Brandy  Station,  and  visited  the  cam])  of  the  Second  Rhode 
Island.  They  were  about  to  moye  into  winter  quarters. 
Charles  E.  Boutems  arrived  in  cam])  after  a  seven  months' 
absence  on  sick  leave.  A  raid  was  made  on  the  railroad 
that  day,  which  was  said  to  be  by  guerrillas.  They  might 
have  been  the  gang  of  which  Mowry,  our  deserter,  was  a 
member,  as  they  appeared  to  be  doing  a  large  part  of  the 
work  attributed  to  Mosby. 

The  19th  was  clear  and  cold.  Our  battery  began  cutting 
timber  for  stables,  which  were  much  needed,  as  our  horses 
were  suffering  for  want  of  them. 

On  the  20th  the  weather  was  fine,  and  we  had  a  mounted 
inspection. 

We  began  work  on  a  stable  for  our  horses  on  the  22d,  and 
made  considerable  progress. 

The  24th  was  clear  and  cold.  We  went  into  the  woods 
and  cut  pine  boughs  to  cover  the  stables,  as  there  was  no 
straw  in  that  section.  The  horses  were  in  bad  condition. 

Clear  and  cold  weather  continued  on  the  25th.  The  sta 
bles  were  well  finished  and  covered  with  boughs,  which  was 
a  good  protection  from  wind,  but  did  not  keep  out  the  rain 
very  well. 

The  2(jth,  weather  was  cloudy  and  disagreeable.     The  dri- 


272  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [Jan.r 

vers  hud  been  working  around  the  stables  all  day  making 
them  as  comfortable  as  possible.  Sergt.  John  B.  Thompson 
returned  that  day  from  leave  of  absence. 

January  1st,  1864.     Happy  New  Year. 

There  was  no  change  in  the  personnel  of  the  army  as  far 
as  we  could  learn.  We  remained  in  cam])  until  February 
6th,  when  our  corps,  in  conjunction  with  the  whole  army, 
made  another  move  on  the  Rapidan,  to  co-operate  with  Gen 
eral  Butler's  Army  of  the  flames,  which  was  to  move  on 
Richmond. 

On  the  20th  General  Hancock  returned  and  resumed  com 
mand  of  the  corps.  We  had  plenty  of  ball  games  and  other 
sports,  besides  camp  duty.  Many  horses  died  from  expos 
ure  before  our  stables  were1  built,  but  after  the  stables  were 
ready  the  horses  which  were  left  improved  rapidly. 

On  the  8th  it  was  clear  and  warm.  We  had  drill  every 
day,  also  ball  games  and  other  sports.  General  Hancock 
relinquished  the  command  of  the  corps  to  General  Warren 
on  that  day. 

On  the  15th  we  had  mounted  inspection.  Quite  a  num 
ber  of  ladies,  the  wives  of  officers  of  our  army,  visited  our 
camp  that  day.  General  Hays  and  his  wife  were  frequent 
visitors. 

On  the  18th  it  rained  hard,  and  then  came  out  cold,  which 
told  fearfully  on  the  horses. 

On  the  19th  it  came  out  fair.  General  Hays  and  wife 
came  into  camp  and  wanted  to  see  us  play  ball  and  the 
game  that  we  called  "Scratch  a  little." 

On  the  20th  we  had  drill  and  all  sorts  of  games. 

On  the  21st  Captain  Arnold's  wife  came  to  cam]). 

On  the  24th  we  had  mounted  inspection. 

On  the  25th  we  had  a  tine  game  of  ball  in  honor  of  Gen 
eral  Hays,  Avho  had  sent  to  Washington  for  balls  and  bats 
to  enable  us  to  play  to  good  advantage.  AVhen  the  general 
and  his  wife  came  galloping  into  camp,  with  a  number  of 
officers  and  ladies,  our  captain  went  out  to  greet  them  and 


LIEUT.  BENJAMIN  H.  CHILD. 


Enrolled  as  Private  in  Battery  A;  promoted  Corporal;  Sergeant;  promoted 
Second  Lieutenant  Battery  H.     Wounded  at  three  different  battles. 


1864.]  WINTER    QUARTERS,    MOUNTAIN    RUN  273 

said:  "Ah!  general,  I  suppose  YOU  would  like  to  see  the 
battery  on  drill."  The  general  quickly  replied:  "No;  I 
want  to  see  them  play  ball,  which  they  can  do  better  than 
any  men  I  ever  saw.'1 

On  the  29th  the  general  and  wife,  with  about  the  same 
party,  came  into  camp  to  see  us  drill,  and  every  man  en 
deavored  to  do  his  best.  Indeed,  I  never  saw  our  men  do 
better. 

On  the  2d  of  February  we  had  a  thunder  shower,  which 
came  up  suddenly  to  the  great  surprise  of  all. 

On  the  5th  our  old  comrades  and  chums  for  nearly  three 
years,  the  First  Minnesota  regiment,  left  us  for  home  to  re 
organize.  It  was  one  of  the  noblest  regiments  in  our  army. 

On  the  ()th.  about  five  o'clock  A.  M.,  we  were  routed  out 
amid  considerable  excitement,  and  ordered  to  march  at  six, 
with  three1  days'  rations  and  an  extra  blanket.  Nothing 
but  long  range  guns  were  to  be  taken;  this  left  Battery  B 
in  cam]),  as  usual ;  yet  two  detachments  were  sent  to  Bat 
tery  (},  First  New  York,  as  that  battery  was  short  of  men. 
AVe  marched  through  Stevensburgh,  where  we  joined  our 
Third  Division;  then  marched  to  Morton's  Ford  and  went 
into  position.  A  rebel  battery  opened  on  us  as  soon  as  our 
guns  appeared  on  the  bluff.  They  fired  a  few  rounds  and 
then  ceased,  as  they  saw  that  we  did  not  return  their  fire. 
Our  Third  Division  was  skirmishing  all  the  time.  A  com 
pany  of  skirmishers  of  Owen's  brigade,  under  Capt.  Robert 
S.  Seabury,  charged  through  the  ford  and  captured  the  rebel 
picket  posted  there.  Hays  then  threw  the  Third  Division 
across,  when  our  battery  opened  to  cover  their  crossing.  A 
skirmish  line  was  thrown  out  under  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Baird  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-sixth  New  York,  and 
had  a  very  sharp  engagement,  driving  the  enemy  back,  they 
being  steadily  re  enforced  all  the  time.  The  gallant  action 
of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Baird  and  his  command  was  wit 
nessed  by  General  Meade  and  several  other  generals.  Our 
side  of  the  river  being  much  the  highest  our  officers  had  a 

18 


274  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [Feb., 

commanding  view,  of  all  that  was  transpiring  on  the  other 
side.  General  Hays  was  as  reckless  as  ever,  exposing  him 
self  as  he  always  had  been  accustomed  to  do  since  joining 
our  corps,  and  as  he  did  while  a  colonel  in  the  First  Divi 
sion.  He  was  the  most  fearless  man  I  ever  saw.  The  Third 
Division  continued  the  tight  until  dark.  Our  battery  kept 
on  tiring  for  a  while,  then  ceased  until  General  Webb,  with 
our  Second  Division,  relieved  the  Third,  when  we  opened 
again,  firing  in  all  about  fifty  rounds  to  each  gun.  Col.  J. 
Albert  Monroe,  our  chief  of  artillery,  directed  the  firing  of 
the  artillery.  It  was  a  very  disagreeable  night,  as  it  had 
rained  nearly  all  day,  and  the  change  from  warm  quarters, 
for  both  men  and  horses,  was  a  very  uncomfortable  one. 

The  7th  was  wet  and  disagreeable.  It  found  us  in  line  of 
battle.  Our  Second  Division  having  been  withdrawn 
through  the  night  the  rebel  sharpshooters  returned  to  their 
rifle-pits  and  kept  up  a  fire  on  us  at  times,  all  day.  The 
artillery  firing  was  also  frequent  on  different  parts  along 
the  line.  After  dark  we  withdrew  and  returned  to  camp 
about  three  o'clock.  The  roads  were  in  a  fearful  condition 
in  consequence  of  the  rain,  and  we  were  glad  to  turn  into 
our  warm  quarters  again.  It  is  said  this  move  was  made 
to  co-operate  with  the  Army  of  the  James,  and  to  hold  Lee's 
army  along  the  Rapidan  while  General  Butler  was  to  make 
a  rapid  move  on  Richmond,  but  how  such  a  move  could  have 
helped  him  it  was  difficult  to  understand.  It  was  a  well- 
known  fact  that  Butler's  movement  amounted  to  nothing. 
If  General  Butler  had  made  his  move  and  our  army  had 
been  all  thrown  across  the  Rapidan,  and  made  a  demonstra 
tion  as  if  to  advance,  the  result  would  have  been  quite  dif 
ferent;  but,  to  only  throw  two  divisions  across,  and  at  dark, 
or  a  little  later  withdraw  them,  resulting  only  in  the  killing 
of  ten  men  and  the  wounding  of  sixteen  officers  and  one 
hundred  and  ninety-three  men,  and  one  officer  and  forty-one 
men  captured,  while  the  casualties  of  the  enemy  were  com 
paratively  slight,  was  something  incomprehensible. 


1864.]  MOUNTAIN    KUN  275 

The  8th  was  a  very  disagreeable  day.  The  drivers  were 
busy  all  day  caring  for  the  horses,  as  they  were  in  bad  con 
dition  from  their  trip  to  Morton's  Ford.  Mud  itch  was 
also  a  cause  of  discomfort  to  them.  The  cannoneers  were 
busy  filling  the  chests,  to  replace  what  was  throAvn  away  on 
the  expedition. 

The  9th  was  fair  and  quite  warm  at  midday.  The  men 
were  busily  engaged  in  putting  the  camp  into  good  condi 
tion,  and  the  teams  were  hauling  rations  and  grain  for  the 
battery.  I  was  detailed  with  the  wagons,  and,  on  the  road 
going  over  to  the  station,  we  met  Charlie  Mowry,  of  whom 
I  have  previously  made  mention,  who  deserted  from  us  at 
Sandy  Hook.  He,  with  a  gang  like  himself,  was  acting  as 
a  guerilla  against  our  army.  He  frequently  met  our  team 
sters  and  endeavored  to  elicit  from  them  information  con 
cerning  our  battery.  He  had  threatened  to  shoot  me  if  I 
meddled  with  him,  and  I  had  sworn  to  take  him  if  I  got 
half  a  chance.  He  came  up  to  the  wagon  in  which  L 
was  lying,  not  knowing  I  was  there.  When  T  arose  from 
the  bottom  of  the  wagon  he  saw  me  and  quickly  turned  his 
horse  and  succeeded  in  getting  away.  I  had  a  pistol  which 
belonged  to  one  of  our  corporals,  and  I  endeavored  to  bring 
him  down,  but  the  pistol  missed  fire  and  he  escaped.  I  re 
solved  after  that  that  I  would  be  fully  prepared  for  him 
if  I  should  meet  him  again. 

On  the  10th  the  weather  was  pleasant,  and  our  cam]) 
looked  bright  and  cheerful.  The  cannoneers  drilled  at  the 
manual  of  the  piece,  and  the  drivers  were  busy  cleaning 
harnesses  and  caring  for  the  horses. 

On  the  llth  the  weather  came  out  tine.  We  had  mounted 
drill,  and  the  games  began  again.  General  Hays  and  his 
wife,  with  a  number  of  officers  and  ladies,  came  into  camp 
and  saw  us  play  ball,  and  were  apparently  well  pleased. 

The  12th  was  a  fine  day.  We  had  drills  and  all  kinds  of 
games.  1  was  the  champion  at  throwing  the  shot,  and  that 
dav  threw  it  nearly  five  feet  fartHer  than  ever  before.  Ser- 


276  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [Feb., 

geant  Greene  and  Eugene  Googins  left  camp  that  day  for 
Providence  to  recruit  for  our  battery. 

On  the  1.3th  the  weather  was  fine.  We  drilled  for  the 
benefit  of  a  number  of  officers  and  their  ladies,  and  played 
several  games. 

On  the  14th  we  had  mounted  inspection,  after  that  a  num 
ber  of  our  men  went  visiting  the  infantry.  I  went  over  to 
Brandy  Station  to  visit  the  Second  Rhode  Island  Regiment, 
and  met  a  number  of  friends  I  had  not  seen  since  we  sep 
arated  in  1861. 

On  the  15th  we  had  mounted  drill,  with  a  large  audience 
of  officers  and  ladies. 

The  16th  found  everyone  busily  engaged  cleaning  up  for 
monthly  inspection,  with. Captain  Thompson  as  inspecting 
officer,  who  was  also  acting  chief  of  artillery  while  Colonel 
Monroe  was  absent. 

On  the  17th  the  paymaster  came  into  camp  and  we  re 
ceived  two  months'  pay,  which,  as  usual,  gladdened  the 
hearts  of  our  men. 

On  the  18th  we  were  busy  getting  ready  to  be  reviewed  by 
General  Warren. 

On  the  19th,  despite  cloudy  weather,  the  battery  turned 
out  iii  good  condition,  and  was  reviewed  by  General  War 
ren  and  his  staff,  and  in  the  presence  of  a  large  assemblage 
of  ladies  and  officers. 

On  Sunday,  the  21st,  we  had  a  mounted  inspection. 

On  the  22d  we  had  a  battalion  drill  of  the  Second  Corps 
artillery,  under  Captain  Thompson.  It  was  a  grand  affair, 
and  a  very  opportune  way  of  celebrating  Washington's 
birthday. 

The  23d  was  a  beautiful  day,  and  seemed  like  Spring. 
The  battery  was  busy  getting  ready  to  participate  in  the 
grand  review  of  the  Second  Corps  and  Kilpatrick's  cavalry 
division.  It  was  held  out  near  Steveiisburgh  and  in  the 
vicinity  of  Pony  Mountain.  It  was  a  grand  spectacle,  and 
a  great  many  ladies  and  officers  were  present  as  lookers-on. 


1864.]  MOUNTAIN    RUN  277 

Among  the  number  were  Generals  Meade  and  Warren,  and 
our  Rhode  Island  senator,  William  Sprague.  A  grand  ball 
was  given  at  army  headquarters,  in  a  large  building  erected 
expressly  for  the  occasion. 

The  24th  was  another  Spring-like  day.  Our  mounted 
drill  drew  out  nearly  as  many  officers  and  ladies  as  the  re 
view  of  the  day  before. 

The  27th  Avas  cloudy  and  disagreeable.  We  were  ordered 
to  have  three  days'  rations  on  hand.  The  Sixth  Corps  left 
Brandy  Station  on  that  day  and  marched  towards  the  Rapl- 
dan.  probably  on  a  similar  expedition  as  ours  when  we  went 
to  Morton's  Ford. 

On  the  29th  the  weather  was  warm  and  cloudy.  General 
Hancock,  to  our  great  delight,  returned  and  took  command 
of  the  troops  again,  although  General  Warren  had  gained 
the  confidence  and  respect  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the 
corps. 

March  1st  a  heavy  rain  set  in,  which  prevented  any  for 
ward  movement  of  our  army. 

On  the  2d  a  new  regiment  joined  the  corps.  Tt  was  the 
One  Hundred  and  Eighty-third  Pennsylvania,  and  was  as 
signed  to  the  First  Brigade.  First  Division. 

On  the  17th  we  had  a  monthly  inspection  by  Captain 
Thompson. 

On  the  18th  a  section  of  each  battery  of  our  corps  went 
out  on  target  practice. 

On  the  22d  we  were  paid  off  for  two  months.  Quite  a 
heavy  snowstorm  prevailed  on  that  day. 

On  the  20th  1  was  detailed  to  go  to  the  station  will)  the 
wagons  for  hay  and  grain.  While  there  Lieut. -Gen.  Ulysses 
S.  Grant  arrived  by  train,  which  caused  considerable  excite 
ment  and  a  great  rush  to  see  him.  He  appeared  to  be  rather 
a,  plain-looking  man.  little  above  medium  height,  and  com 
pact  build.  After  alighting  from  the  train  he  mounted  his 
horse  and  rode  off  with  General  Meade  and  his  staff.  He 
was  the  commander  of  all  the  armies  of  the  United  States, 


278  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    11.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [Mai1., 

and  had  signified  his  intention  of  having  his  headquarters 
in  the  field  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

On  the  27th  we  had  mounted  inspection. 

On  the  29th  another  rainstorm  set  in  and  lasted  until 
the  31st. 

REORGANIZATION. 

About  this  time  the  whole  army  was  completely  reorgan 
ized. 

I  here  quote  from  Walker's  History  of  tJte  Second  Army 
Corps: 

"A  most  important  period  in  the  history  of  the  Second 
Corps  had  now  arrived.  During  the  two  years  that  had 
elapsed  since  its  organization  by  President  Lincoln,  in 
Ma^ch,  1802,  the  corps,  notwithstanding  the  rapidity  with 
which  one  exhaustive  campaign  succeeded  another,  each  bat 
tle  finding  the  wounds  of  the  last  still  unhealed,  and.  not 
withstanding  the  enormous  sum  total  of  its  losses  in  men, 
and  even  more  in  officers,  it  had  remained  essentially  a  unit, 
having  a  strongly  marked  character  of  its  own  with  an  un 
broken  continuity  of  life,  as  between  one  of  its  periods  and 
another,  and  an  almost  perfect  harmony  as  between  its  con 
stituent  parts.  Its  first  commander,  indeed,  the  heroic 
Sunnier,  had  at  last  suffered  the  sword  to  fall  from  his 
nerveless  grasp;  Richardson  had  fallen  mortally  wounded 
at  the  head  of  the  First  Division,  and  the  original  com 
manders  of  the  two  remaining  divisions,  Sedgwick  and 
French,  had  been  called  away  to  command  other  corps,  as 
also  had  Howard,  one  of  the  original  brigade  commanders; 
Zook,  Cross,  Mallon,  and  Willard  had  been  killed  at  the 
head  of  brigades;  Max  Weber,  Dana,  and  Kimball  had  been 
wounded  never  to  return.  Twelve  thousand  six  hundred 
men  had  been  killed,  wounded,  or  captured  in  action  dur 
ing  1862;  and,  even  out  of  those  depleted  ranks,  seven  thou 
sand  two  hundred  had  been  lost  in  the  battles  of  18G3.  Yet 
through  all  this  the  corps  had  retained  its  unity  and  its 
characteristic  quality.  New  regiments  had,  from  time  to 


1864.]  REORGANIZATION  279 

time,  been  sent  to  recruit  its  ranks;  four  entire  brigades 
had  joined  it:  Kimball's  at  Harrison's  Landing,  Max 
AYeber's  and  .Morris's  on  the  way  to  Antietam,  Hays's  on  the 
road  to  ( Jettysburg;  yet  there  was  still  enough  remaining 
of  the  old  body  and  the  old  spirit  to  take  up,  assimilate,  and 
vitalize  the  new  material. 

"Moreover,  between  the  rapid,  exhausting  marches,  and 
the  desperate  battles,  had  been  intervals  of  rest  and  dis 
cipline,  in  winter  and  in  summer  camps,  when  the  shattered 
regiments  regained  form  and  tone;  when  the  new  men 
learned  the  ways  of  the  old,  and  caught  the  spirit  of  the  or 
ganization  they  had  entered.  The  time  had  now  come  for 
a  fierce  and  over-mastering  change  in  the  constituents,  and. 
by  necessary  consequence  in  some  degree,  in  the  character 
of  the  Second  Corps.  Men  more  than  there  were  remaining 
in  the  original  regiments  were,  on  a  single  day.  to  be  merged 
into  the  corps,  and  the  new  body  thus  composed  was  to  be 
thrown  into  one  of  the  most  furious  campaigns  of  human 
history,  the  strength  of  a  regiment,  the  strength  of  a  brig 
ade,  to  be  shot  down  in  a  day,  with  as  many  more  the  next; 
a  month  to  be  one  continuous  battle,  only  interrupted  by 
long  and  fatiguing  marches;  two,  or  three,  or  four  officers 
commanding  the  same  regiment  or  brigade  in  a  single  week; 
and  this,  with  no  long,  benign  intervals  for  rest,  for  heal 
ing,  for  discipline,  for  mutual  acquaintance,  was  to  be  the 
experience  of  the  Second  Corps  in  the  months  immediately 
following  the  period  that  has  been  reached  in  our  story. 

"On  the  -6th  of  February,  both  houses  of  Congress  passed 
a  bill  to  create  the  grade  of  lieutenant-general  of  the  armies 
of  the  United  States.  On  the  1st  of  March  the  President, 
by  his  approval,  made  the  bill  a  law,  and,  on  the  same  day, 
nominated  to  that  high  office  Maj.-Gen.  Ulysses  S.  Grant, 
the  appointment  being  on  the  iM  of  March  confirmed  by  the 
Senate.  On  the  day  following,  the  new  lieutenant-general 
was  summoned  by  telegraph  from  the  West.  On  the  8th  of 
the  month  he  arrived  in  Washington;  on  the  9th  was  pre- 


280  BATTERY    A.    FIRST    K.    I.    LKiHT    ARTILLERY      [Mai\, 

sented  to  the  President  and  received  his  commission ;  and, 
on  the  10th  passed  over  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Rail 
road  to  Brandy  Station,  where  he  had  a  conference  with 
General  Meade.  General  Grant's  views  requiring  a  visit  to 
the  West,  he  spent  the  interval  between  the  llth  and  the 
23d  of  March  in  making  that  journey  and  in  arranging 
plans  with  General  Sherman.  The  days  between  the  23d 
and  26th  General  Grant  spent  in  Washington;  and,  on  the 
latter  day,  he  established  his  headquarters  at  Culpepper, 
that  he  might,  in  the  coming  great  struggle,  personally  di 
rect  the  movements  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

"Meanwhile  certain  very  important  changes  were  effected 
in  the  organization  of  that  army.  The  five  corps  which  had 
fought  together,  in  victory  or  defeat,  from  the  Chickahom- 
iny  to  Mine  Run,  were  consolidated  into  three,  involving 
the  discontinuance  of  two  honored,  historic  names. 
Whether  this  consolidation  was,  in  the  result;,  advantage 
ous;  whether,  for  practical  or  for  equitable  reasons,  the 
corps  to  be  retained  were  wisely  or  rightly  selected,  we  need 
not  here  inquire.  Suffice  it  to  saj'  that  the  two  corps  or 
ganizations  to  be  sacrificed,  for  what  was  sincerely  believed 
to  be  the  public  good,  were  the  First  and  Third.  The  First 
was  to  be  transferred  entire  to  the  Fifth,  which  was  there 
after  to  be  commanded  by  Maj.-Gen.  Gouverneur  K.  War 
ren.  The  Third  Corps  was  to  be  parted,  its  Third  Division, 
under  Brigadier  General  Ricketts,  was  to  form  a  part  of  the 
Sixth  Corps,  to  be  commanded,  as  heretofore,  by  Maj.-Gen. 
John  Sedgwick;  its  First  and  Second  divisions,  rendered 
illustrious  by  Kearny  and  Hooker,  were  to  be  transferred 
to  the  Second  Corps,  at  the  head  of  which  Hancock,  return 
ing  from  his  Gettysburg  wounds,  had  again  drawn  his 
sword. 

"Of  the  grief  and  anger  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the 
Third  Corps  at  the  dismemberment  of  that  noble  body  of 
troops,  with  which  they  had  been  so  long  connected,  and  of 
which  they  had  justly  been  so  proud,  it  is  not  meet  to  speak 


FIRST  SERGT.  WILLIAM  D.  CHILD. 

Enrolled  as  Private  in  Battery  A;    promoted  to  First  Sergeant;  transferred 

to  Battery  B,  and  placed  in  temporary  command  of  combined 

Batteries   A    and    B    for   a  time    after  the    battle 

of    Reams's  Station. 


1864.]  KEORG  ANIMATION  281 

here.  The  wound  lias  never  vet  wholly  healed  in  the 
heart  of  many  a  brave  and  patriotic  soldier.  Certain 
it  is  that  since  the  break  must  come  these  old  divisions 
•of  Kearny  and  Hooker  could  not  have  been  sent  to 
any  body  of  troops  where  their  gallantry  and  discipline 
would  have  been  more  cordially  recognized,  or  where 
they  would  have  found  more  hearty  comradeship.  Here 
after,  the  names  of  Birney  and  Mott,  Egan  and  McAl 
lister,  Pierce  and  Madill,  Brewster  and  De  Trobriand,  were 
to  be  borne  on  the  rolls  of  the  Second  Corps,  in  equal  hon 
ors  with  Barlow,  Gibbon,  Hays,  Miles,  Carroll,  Brooks, 
Webb,  and  Smyth.  The  deeds  of  these  newcomers  were  to 
be  an  indistinguishable  part  of  the  common  glory;  their 
sufferings  and  losses  were  to  be  felt  in  every  nerve  of  the 
common  frame;  the  blood  of  the  men  of  Hooker  and  Kearny, 
the  men  of  Richardson  and  Sedgwick  was  to  drench  the 
same  fields  from  the  Bapidan  to  the  Appomattox. 

"'By  General  Orders.  No.  77,  Series  of  1864,  Headquarters 
Second  Army  Corps,  the  reorganization  of  the  corps,  to 
meet  the  requirements  of  the  new  situation,  was  effected. 
The  former  three  divisions  of  the  original  corps  were  con 
solidated  into  two,  while  the  new  divisions  arriving  from 
the  former  Third  Corps  were  retained  entire,  as  the  Third 
and  Fourth  divisions  of  the  Second  Corps. 

"The  following  was  the  composition  of  the  command  on 
the  :ttst  of  March,  1864 : 

"The  Corps  Major-General  AV infield  S.  Hancock,  com 
manding. 

"The  Artillery  Brigade,  Col.  3.  C.  Tidball,  commanding: 
Batteries  A  and  B,  Rhode  Island;  Batteries  C  and  K,  Fifth 
and  Fourth  United  States;  Tenth  Massachusetts  Independ 
ent;  Battery  B,  First  New  Jersey;  Battery  G,  First  New 
York;  Twelfth  New  York  Independent;  Battery  F,  First 
Pennsylvania;  First  Battalion  of  the  Fourth  Regiment, 
New  York  Heavy  Artillery. 

"First  Division,  Brig.-Gen.  Francis  C.  Barlow,  command- 


282  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    T.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [Mar.T 

ing:  First  Brigade,  Col.  Nelson  H.  Miles,  commanding: 
Sixty-first  New  York,  Eighty-first,  One  Hundred  and  For 
tieth,  and  One  Hundred  and  Eighty-third  Pennsylvania, 
and  Twenty-sixth  Michigan.  Second  Brigade,  Col.  Thomas 
A.  Smyth,  commanding:  Twenty-eighth  Massachusetts; 
Sixty-third,  Sixty-ninth,  and  Eighty-eighth  New  York;  One 
Hundred  and  Sixteenth  Pennsylvania.  Third  'Brigade,  Col. 
Paul  Frank,  commanding:  Thirty-ninth,  Fifty-second, 
Fifty-seventh,  One  Hundred  and  Eleventh,  One  Hundred 
and  Twenty-fifth,  and  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-sixth  New 
York;  detachment  of  the  Seventh  New  York.  Fourth  Brig 
ade,  Col.  John  K.  Brooke,  commanding:  i^econd  Delaware; 
Fifty-third,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-fifth,  and  One  Hundred 
and  Forty-eighth  Pennsylvania ;  Sixty-fourth,  and  Sixty- 
sixth  New  York. 

"Second  Division,  Brig. -den.  John  Gibbon,  commanding: 
First  Brigade,  Brig. -Gen.  Alexander  S.  Webb,  commanding: 
Nineteenth  Maine;  Fifteenth,  Nineteenth,  and  Twentieth 
Massachusetts;  Forty  second,  Fifty-ninth,  and  Eighty-sec 
ond  New  York;  Seventh  Michigan.  Second  Brigade,  Brig.- 
Gen.  John  T.  Owen,  commanding:  Sixty-ninth,  Seventy- 
first,  Seventy-second,  One  Hundred  and  Sixth,  Pennsylva 
nia;  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-second  New  York.  Third 
Brigade,  Col.  S.  S.  Carroll,  commanding:  Fourth  and 
Eighth  Ohio,  Fourteenth  Indiana;  Seventh  West  Virginia; 
One  Hundred  and  Eighth  New  York;  Tenth  (Battalion) 
New  York;  First  Delaware;  Fourteenth  Connecticut;. 
Twelfth  New  Jersey. 

"Third  Division,  Maj.-Gen.  David  B.  Birney,  command 
ing:  First  Brigade,  Brig.-Gen.  J.  H.  Hobart  Ward,  com 
manding:  Third  Maine,  Fortieth,  Eighty-sixth,  and  One 
Hundred  and  Twenty-fourth  New  York;  Ninety-ninth,  One 
Hundred  and  Tenth,  and  One  Hundred  and  Forty-first 
Pennsylvania;  Twentieth  Indiana;  Second  United  States 
Sharpshooters.  Second  Brigade,  Brig.-Gen.  Alexander 
Hays,  commanding:  Fourth  and  Seventeenth  Maine;  Third 


1864.]  MOUNTAIN    KUN  283 

and  Fifth  Michigan;  Fifty-seventh,  Sixty-third,  Sixty- 
eighth,  and  One  Hundred  and  Fifth  Pennsylvania;  First 
United  States  Sharpshooters. 

"Fourth  Division,  Brig.-Gen.  Joseph  B.  Carr.  command 
ing.  First  Brigade,  Brig.-Gen.  Gershom  Mofct,  command 
ing:  Fifth,  Sixth,  Seventh,  Eighth,  and  Eleventh,  New  Jer 
sey;  Twenty-sixth,  and  One  Hundred  and  Fifteenth,  Penn 
sylvania  ;  First  and  Sixteenth  Massachusetts.  Second 
Brigade,  Col.  W.  R.  Brewster,  commanding:  Seventieth, 
Seventy-first,  Seventy-second,  Seventy-third,  Seventy-fourth, 
and  One  Hundred  and  Twentieth,  New  York;  Eleventh 
Massachusetts ;  Eighty-fourth  Pennsylvania. 

"Although  General  Carr  was  announced  as  commander 
of  the  Fourth  Division,  he  did  not  serve  in  that  capacity, 
but  was  relieved  by  orders  from  the  headquarters  of  the 
armies  of  the  United  States,  and  assigned  to  another  field 
of  duty.  General  Mott  succeeded  to  the  command  of  the 
Fourth  Division.  The  aggregate  force  in  the  enlarged  com 
mand  was  4.*>,035. 

"One  notable  change  in  the  personnel  of  the  corps  takes 
place  at  this  time;  Brig.-Gen.  John  0.  Caldwell  retiring  per 
manently  therefrom  upon"  the  reorganization  incident  to  the 
assignment  of  the  troops  from  the  Third  Corps.  General 
Caldwell  had  served  continuously  in  the  corps  since  his  pro 
motion  to  the  grade  of  general  officer.  He  had  seen  much 
hard  and  dangerous  service;  had  been  more  than  once 
wounded  at  the  head  of  a  brigade  or  division.  He  was  a 
loyal  and  patriotic  soldier,  of  more  than  usual  intellectual 
ability  and  scholarly  accomplishments.  A  striking  feature 
of  the  foregoing  roster  is  the  number  of  brigades  com 
manded  by  officers  below  the  grade  of  general,  being  not  less 
than  six  out  of  the  eleven  infantry  brigades.  When  it  is 
considered  that  this  was  at  the  opening  of  a  campaign,  and 
that  it  was  after  a  most  extensive  consolidation,  which  had 
swollen  some  of  the  brigades  to  seven,  eight,  and  even  nine 
regiments,  the  inadequacy  of  the  number  of  general  officers 
allowed  the  armv  will  be  seen." 


284  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [April, 

It  rained  throughout  the  days  of  April  1st  and  2d.  and 
nothing  of  interest  occurred  in  camp. 

On  the  3d  we  received  ammunition  from  Thompson's  bat 
tery,  and  on  the  4th  that  battery  went  to  Washington. 

The  5th  and  6th  it  rained  steadily,  the  roads  were  im 
passable,  and  there  was  nothing  unusual  transpired  in 
camp. 

On  the  llth  we  had  mounted  inspection  under  our  new 
chief  of  artillery,  Colonel  Tidball,  of  the  Fourth  New  York 
Heavy  Artillery. 

On  the  12th  the  weather  was  cloudy  and  disagreeable. 
William  IT.  Taylor  and  Eugene  Googins  returned  from 
leave  of  absence.  One  of  our  old  corporals,  T.  Fred  Brown, 
was  promoted  to  captain  of  Battery  B,  and  took  command 
that  day.  That  battery  gave  him  a  sword.  Colonel  Tomp- 
kins  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Monroe  were  present  on  that 
occasion. 

On  the  17th  Lieut.  Samuel  G.  Colwell  left  the  battery, 
having  resigned  on  account  of  disability. 

On  the  19th  we  had  target  practice  with  the  artillery. 

On  the  20th  the  artillery  of  the  Second  Corps  was  re 
viewed  by  General  Hancock.  There  were  present  one  heavy 
and  nine  light  batteries  belonging  to  the  corps. 

On  April  22d  the  several  divisions  of  our  newly  organized 
corps  came  together  for  the  first  time,  when  it  was  reviewed 
by  Lieutenant  General  Grant.  General  Morgan,  in  speak 
ing  of  this  review,  says :  "The  day  was  the  first  bright, 
sunny  one  after  many  days  of  storm ;  the  ground,  so  admir 
ably  adapted,  that  from  the  position  of  the  reviewing  officer 
the  eye  could  take  in  the  whole  corps  without  effort,  and 
the  brilliant  assemblage  of  spectators,  combined  to  make 
this  the  finest  corps  review  I  have  ever  seen  in  the  army." 

Gen.  Francis  A.  Walker  says : 

"The  troops  were  arranged  in  four  lines  directly  in  front 
of  the  'stand'  of  the  reviewing  officer,  the  divisions  being 
placed  in  their  numerical  order :  The  First,  Barlow ;  the 


1864.]  .MOUNTAIN    RUN  285 

second,  Gibbon;  (lie  third.  Birney;  the  fourth.  Mott.  The 
artillery  was  formed  on  the  right  flank  of,  and  perpendicu 
lar  to,  the  infantry,  so  that  the  two  arms  of  the  service 
formed  two  sides  of  a  square.  Among  the  spectators  were 
Generals  Meade,  Humphreys.  Williams,  Hunt,  and  others, 
from  army  headquarters,  and  Generals  Sedgwick  and  War 
ren,  commanding  respectively  the  Sixth  and  Fifth  corps. 

"Besides  the  departmental  staff  officers,  the  corps  head 
quarters  staff  embraced  Maj.  William  G.  Mitchell,  Capt.  J. 
B.  Parker  and  William  D.  W.  Miller,  aides-de-camp;  Oapt. 
Edward  P>.  Brownson,  commissary  of  musters;  Capt.  H.  H. 
Bingham.  judge  advocate;  rapt.  Charles  McEntee,  assistant 
quartermaster  (assistant  to  Colonel  Batchelder)  ;  Capt. 
John  G.  IVlton,  Fourteenth  Connecticut,  chief  of  ambu 
lances;  Maj.  S.  O.  Bull,  Fifty  third  Pennsylvania,  provost- 
marshal  ;  Maj.  A.  W.  Angel  1,  Fifth  New  .Jersey,  topograph 
ical  offeer ;  Maj.  W.  H.  Houghton.  Fourteenth  Indiana,  act 
ing  assistant  inspector-general;  Captain  W.  P.  Wilson,  One 
Hundred  and  Forty  eighth  Pennsylvania,  and  Captain  W. 
II.  Driver.  Nineteenth  Massachusetts,  acting  assistant  ad 
jutant-generals;  Captain  Thickston  and  Lieutenant  Neil, 
signal  officers. 

"By  the  close  of  April  the  command  had  been  swollen,  by 
recruiting,  to  an  aggregate  of  4G.3G3.  The  number  present 
for  duty  was  2S.854,  or  GU.23  per  cent,  of  the  aggregate.'' 

The  weather  continued  fine  until  Sunday,  the  24th.  On 
that  day  we  had  mounted  inspection. 

On  the  27th  we  moved  from  our  winter  quarters  to  the 
vicinity  of  Stevensburgh.  Sergt.  Stephen  M.  Greene  re 
turned  from  recruiting  in  Ilhode  Island. 

On  the  28th  we  were  busy  fixing  up  our  new  camp. 

On  the  29th  we  broke  camp  and  moved  near  the  infantry 
at  Cole's  Hill. 

On  the  oOth  we  were1  mustered  for  two  months'  pa}'.  Hu 
mors  of  contemplated  movements  were  rife,  and  troops  were 
being  put  into  position  to  start  with  their  different  com- 


286  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    T.    LIGHT    ARTLILERY       [May, 

niands  at  a  moment's  notice.  We  were  assigned  to  the 
First  Division,  under  General  Barlow. 

Sunday,  May  1st,  was  pleasant  and  warm.  We  had 
mounted  inspection.  A  great  many  of  the  infantry  visited 
our  camp.  They  were  mostly  from  the  old  Third  Corps, 
who  had  recently  joined  us.  We  had  two  divisions  who 
wore  the  red  diamond  on  their  caps. 

The  weather  on  the  2d  was  warm  and  pleasant.  Burn- 
side,  with  his  Ninth  Corps,  was  reported  at  Warrenton, 
having  just  returned  from  the  southwest. 


1864.]  \V1LDEKNESS  287 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

WILDEKXESS  CAMPAIGN. 

ON  the  :>d  of  May  we  were  routed  out  early  and  kept 
busy  all   day.     The  whole  army  appeared  to  be  on 
the  move,  and  \ve  were  curious  to  ascertain  what 
kind  of  game  Lee  would  now  endeavor  to  play  on  Grant. 
We   were   decidedly   of   the    opinion   that    Lee   had   at    last 
found  an   antagonist  whom   lie  would  have1  some  difficulty 
in  coping. 

About  eight  r.  .\i.  we  broke  cam])  at  Stevensburgh  with 
our  First  Division  and  marched  all  night,  arriving  at  Ely's 
Ford  about  six  o'clock  Wednesday  morning.  The  corps  all 
crossed  before  eleven  o'clock,  and  the  head  of  our  column 
reached  Chancellorsville  about  ten  A.  M.  General  Badeau, 
in  his  Life  of  Grant,  has  stated  that  general's  plan  of  cam 
paign  in  terms  which  doubtless  must  be  accepted  as  official 
and  conclusive.  The  general  declares  that  it  was  not  the 
purpose  of  the  commander-in-chief  to  move  on  Gordons- 
ville  or  to  reach  any  position  by  evading  Lee's  army  or 
stealing  a  march  upon  it;  that  his  sole  objective  was  that 
army  itself;  and  that  his  only  preference  as  between  posi 
tions  was.  first,  for  that  position  which  would  most  surely 
constrain  the  Confederates  to  give  battle;  secondly,  for  that 
position  which  should  afford  his  own  army  the  highest  de 
gree  of  advantage1  which  might  be  compatible  with  giving 
the  Confederates  no  chance  to  escape  or  delay  a  battle. 
These  being  his  objects.  General  Grant  decided  not  to  at 
tack  Lee's  army  in  front,  either  along  the  Kapidan  or  along 
Mine  Run,  but  by  a  rapid  march  to  gain  a  position  on  Lee's 
right,  threatening  his  communications  with  Richmond, 
which  should  compel  him  to  come  out  and  give  battle.  As 


288  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    L1CHT    ARTILLERY 

General  Grant  had  to  consider  the  possibility  of  offensive 
action  on  Lee's  part,  it  would  be  necessary,  for  a  time,  that 
he  should  hold  a  line  extending  from  a  point  so  taken  north 
ward  to  the  vicinity  of  the  Rapidan.  So  soon  as  he  should 
be  prepared  to  take  Fredericksburg  as  a  base  of  supplies, 
and  so  soon  as  he  should  have  swung  the  vast  body  of  his 
trains  around  into  his  rear  upon  the  new  lines  he  would 
then  be  able  to  shorten  his  own  front.  Tn  pursuance  of 
this  plan  Sedgwick's  consolidated  Sixth  Corps  was  to  cross 
the  Rapidan  at  Germania  Ford  and  hold  the  ground  imme 
diately  on  the  south,  to  prevent  an  offensive  movement  by 
Lee  to  cut  our  army  off  from  the  river.  Warren  was  to 
cross  his  consolidated  Fifth  Corps  at  Germania  Ford  and 
go  by  way  of  the  Orange  Plank  road;  while  Hancock  was 
to  cross  the  river  at  Ely's  Ford,  and,  after  passing  Chan 
cellorsville,  join  Warren  on  the  left  to  threaten  Lee's  com 
munications.  Burnside,  with  the  Ninth  Corps,  about  fif 
teen  thousand  strong,  not  then  considered  part  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  should  advance  from  AYarrenton  as  soon  as 
our  army's  crossing  should  be  accomplished. 

We -arrived  at  Chancellorsville  about  noon  of  the  4th,  and 
went  into  park,  our  division  forming  line  of  battle  across 
the  Fredericksburg  road.  Here  we  saw  a  sickening  sight. 
The  charred  bones  of  men*  who  had  been  killed  and  died  of 
their  wounds  in  the  memorable  battle  of  Chancellorsville, 
of  one  year  ago,  were  lying  about  in  every  conceivable  po 
sition. 

On  the  morning  of  the  r>th  we  marched  at  seven  o'clock, 
on  the  road  to  Todd's  Tavern,  where  we  arrived  about  nine, 
and,  after  passing  about  one  mile  beyond  it,  halted.  At 
eleven  o'clock  we  countermarched,  taking  the  Brock  road  to 
the  Orange  Plank  road,  where  we  formed  in  line  of  battle. 
This  was  the  move  and  the  position  the  corps  was  in  when 
it  was  reported  through  the  army  that  our  corps  had  been 
cut  off.  Our  division  was  on  the  extreme  left,  and  was  or 
dered  on  to  rising  clear  ground,  the  only  open  ground  that 


LIEUT.  JAMES  P.  RHODES. 

Enrolled  as  Private  Battery  A;   promoted  Farrier;  promoted 
Second  Lieutenant   Battery  A. 


1864.]  WILDERNESS  289 

could  be  seen  in  that  section  of  the  wilderness.  All  the  ar 
tillery  of  the  Second  Corps  was  put  into  position  here,  ex 
cept  Dow's  Sixth  Maine,  and  one  section  of  Rickett's  Penn 
sylvania,  which  was  engaged  on  the  Plank  road,  and  which 
had  been  put  in  position  by  General  Getty  of  the  Sixth 
Corps,  with  whom  our  corps  was  now  forming  a  junction 
at  the  Brock  and  Plank  roads.  It  is  claimed,  and  seems  to 
be  a  point  well  taken,  that  if  General  Hancock,  instead  of 
countermarching  at  To  (Id's  Tavern,  had  pushed  on  he  would 
have  struck  Lee  in  the  rear,  which,  according  to  Walker's 
statement,  would  have  put  Lee  in  a  very  bad  position,  and 
the  battle  of  the  Wilderness  would  have  been  a  grand  vic 
tory  for  the  Union  army,  with  a  great  saving  of  life.  This 
argument  was  held  by  officers  who  had  been  through  that 
section  on  two  or  three  occasions,  and  had  failed  and  had 
repeatedly  been  driven  back  with  heavy  losses.  Had  Gen 
eral  Grant  undertaken  what  those  officers  thought  would 
have  been  the  proper  course,  he,  too,  might  have  been 
obliged  to  have  fallen  back.  As  it  was,  he  kept  on. 

Our  battery  took  position  near  a  house,  and  began  imme 
diately  to  throw  ii]>  an  earthwork  around  each  gun,  the  in 
fantry  on  our  left  doing  the  same.  The  fighting,  which  was 
mostly  on  our  right,  was  very  sharp,  and  in  brush  so  thick 
that  our  men  could  not  get  through  it,  and  officers  could 
not  keep  track  of  their  men.  There  seemed  to  be  no  line 
of  battle,  and  the  fighting  was  on  the  order  of  bushwhack 
ers  in  large  force.  '  There  was  no  aggressive  movement  on 
our  left,  except  slight  demonstrations  by  cavalry,  supported 
by  infantry.  During  the  evening  our  battery  was  with 
drawn  when  we  went  into  park  for  the  night.  Our  beloved 
general,  Alexander  Hays,  one  of  the  bravest  and  truest  men 
in  our  army,  was  killed  that  day  (May  5th)  at  the  head  of 
his  old  regiment,  of  which  he  had  formerly  been  the  colonel. 
It  was  a  sad  blow  to  his  soldiers  and  a  great  loss  to  our 
army.  Our  losses  throughout  the  day  were  reported  heavy 
in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  including  two  guns.  At 


290  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [May, 

four  o'clock  General  (Jetty  received  orders  from  General 
Meade  to  move  forward  down  the  Plank  road  toward 
Parker's  store,  through  a  dense  thicket,  where  he  encoun 
tered  Hill's  troops,  and  a  fierce  combat  took  place,  which 
caused  General  Hancock  (although  not  prepared,  owing  to 
the  narrowness  of  the  road  to  get  his  troops  over)  to  throw 
Birney's  and  Mott's  divisions  forward  on  Getty's  right  and 
left,  with  a  section  of  Rickett's  battery  on  the  Plank  road 
moving  forward  with  the  troops.  As  the  line  of  fire  became 
longer  it  became  evident  that  the  advance  had  been  too 
hasty,  as  it  was  impossible  to  bring  up  troops  with  sufficient 
rapidity  to  meet  the  demands  from  the  leading  troops  for 
re-enforcements,  and  one  of  the  fiercest  battles  of  history 
had  begun.  Both  armies  were  entering  into  the  first  action 
of  the  opening  campaign  with  dogged  pertinacity.  Owen's 
brigade  of  Gibbon's  division,  was  thrown  in  on  either  side 
of  the  Plank  road,  to  support  Getty ;  then  Smyth's  and 
Brooke's  brigades  from  Barlow's  division  went  in  on  our 
extreme  left,  and  drove  Hill  back  a  considerable  distance; 
on  his  right,  Carroll's  brigade  was  sent  up  the  Plank  road 
in  support  of  troops  on  either  side,  which  had  been  repulsed 
and  forced  back,  leaving  behind  Rickett's  two  guns.  But 
before  the  enemy  could  secure  the  coveted  trophies,  detach 
ments  from  the  Fourteenth  Indiana  and  Eighth  Ohio  suc 
ceeded  in  retaking  the  guns  and  hauling  them  down  the 
road.  Darkness  put  an  end  to  the  fighting,  with  very  lit 
tie  advantage  gained  on  the  Union  side,  yet  Hill's  corps  had 
been  driven  some  distance  back,  and  had  been  considerably 
broken  and  put  to  flight ;  and,  according  to  the  judgment  of 
some  of  our  generals,  Humphreys  more  especially,  did  not 
hesitate  to  declare  that,  in  his  opinion,  if  there  had  been 
one  hour  more  of  daylight  Hill  would  have  been  driven 
from  the  field,  as  he  was  both  outnumbered  and  outfought; 
but,  owing  to  the  long  detour  of  the  Second  Corps,  it  pre 
vented  a  complete  success.  General  Grant  could  not  have 
expected  an  attack  at  that  time  or  place,  or  he  would  not 


1864.]  WILDERNESS  291 

have  sent  the  Second  Corps  towards  Shady  Grove  Church. 
Calling  back  the  Second  Corps  he  had  endeavored  to  out 
flank  and  defeat  Hill,  but  had  underrated  the  valor  of  the 
Army  of  Northern  Virginia.  He  found  them  in  the  kind  of 
country  in  which  they  had  been  reared,  and  a  country  with 
which  its  generals  had  been  perfectly  familiar  by  long  occu 
pation,  and  parts  of  which  they  had  fought  over  on  a 
number  of  occasions.  Tpon  the  right  of  our  army,  the 
Fifth  and  Sixth  corps  had  met  with  varying  fortune  in 
their  encounters  with  Fwell,  but  with  no  serious  reverses, 
although  obliged  to  relinquish  much  of  the  ground  they  had 
at  hrst  gained. 

On  Friday,  May  <>th,  our  battery  returned  to  its  position 
about  three  A.  M.,  and,  about  five  o'clock,  firing  began  on 
the  right  and  soon  ran  down  the  whole  line,  and  was  some 
thing  terrific.  The  fighting  was  all  in  dense1  woods,  where 
our  men  could  not  see  the  enemy  a  distance  of  fifty  yards. 
Artillery  could  not  be  used  in  our  vicinity,  but  on  the  right 
of  our  line  there  was  considerable  cannonading.  Our  right 
section,  under  Lieutenant  Hunt,  was  sent  to  the  rear  to 
guard  a  road  against  rebel  cavalry.  The  Tenth  Massachu 
setts  Battery  had  quite  a  sharp  engagement  on  our  left  with 
a  battery  that  opened  on  them  but  soon  retired.  General 
Hancock,  who  was  in  command  of  the  left  wing  of  our  army, 
made  a  determined  assault  and  drove  the  enemy  pell-mell 
nearly  two  miles,  and  it  began  to  look  like  a  grand  smash 
of  the  rebel  army,  until  General  Gibbon  took  a  division  out 
leaving  a  big  gap,  which  the  enemy  took  advantage  of,  and 
General  Burnside,  unfortunately,  when  lie  was  expected  to 
attack  in  little  over  an  hour,  was  over  four,  which  delay  had 
caused  Hancock  to  fall  back;  also  Gibbon's  blunder  with 
Barlow's  division,  the  largest  in  our  corps,  which  he  failed 
to  throw  in  as  ordered  by  General  Hancock ;  and,  for  which 
he  never  acknowledged  his  error,  but  persistently  declared 
that  he  did  not  receive  such  instructions.  After  Hancock 
had  been  driven  back  to  the  Brock  road,  Burnside  made 


292  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    K.    J.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [May, 

his  attack,  which  was  too  late.  The  crisis  was  now  fast  ap 
proaching,  as  the  enemy  had  discovered  the  gap  in  our  line 
where  Barlow's  division  should  have  been,  and  four  brig 
ades,  from  different  divisions  of  Field,  Anderson,  Kershaw 
and  Heth,  were  sent  around  Birney's  flank.  The  enemy 
moved  by  the  right  to  the  bed  of  the  unfinished  railroad  and 
there  formed,  facing  to  the  north,  for  the  decisive  charge. 
At  a  little  after  eleven  o'clock  they  made  one  of  those  char 
acteristic  rebel  Hank  attacks,  striking  Frank's  brigade  on 
end  and  hurling  it  back  in  disorder.  They  soon  overlapped 
and  crushed  McAllister's  brigade  of  Mott's  division,  and 
also  drove  them  back.  Encouraged  now  by  these  successes 
against  our  flank,  the  remainder  of  those  divisions  threw 
themselves  against  the  front  of  Hancock's  corps,  and,  after 
a  desperate  struggle,  our  troops  began  to  give  \vny.  Per 
ceiving  the  hopelessness  of  any  attempt  to  repair  the  dis 
aster  on  his  left,  Hancock  made  the  utmost  exertion  to  hold 
the  advanced  position  he  had  occupied  to  the  north  of  the 
Plank  road.  But,  as  I  have  said,  he,  on  Birney's  represen 
tations,  reluctantly  gave  orders  to  withdraw  the  troops  to 
the  Brock  road.  It  was  now  past  twelve  o'clock,  and  the 
question  was,  would  the  enemy,  relying  on  the  success  of 
this  encounter,  take  the  initiative  and  attack  our  troops 
along  the  Brock  road.  Had  they  done  so  at  once  the  result 
would  have  been  different.  We  had,  in  perfect  form,  three 
brigades  of  Barlow's  division,  Leasure's  brigade  of  Steven 
son's  division  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  and  a  brigade  of  (Jetty's 
division  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  none  of  Avhich  had  been  en 
gaged.  All  the  men  remaining  belonged  to  brigades  which 
had  been  in  the  desperate  fighting  of  the  morning,  and  had 
been  dragged  hither  and  thither,  right  and  left,  through 
the  thickets  until  they  had  been  greatly  scattered. 

On  the  right  of  the  Plank  road,  where  the  troops  came 
back  under  orders,  the  regiments  were  generally  entire, 
though  greatly  depleted  by  losses  and  straggling;  but  on 
the  left  of  the  Plank  road  man}'  regiments  were  to  be  found 


1864.]  WILDERNESS  298 

iii  companies  or  squads.  Thousands  had  fallen  in  the  fight 
and  were  still  lying  in  the  woods,  which,  to  intensify  the 
confusion  and  horror,  had  taken  fire  in  many  places  in  front 
of  the  Brock  road.  The  men  who  were  formed  in  trenches 
along  the  Brock  road,  were  as  good  men  as  ever  fired  a  shot 
in  battle,  but  were  now  badly  disorganized.  They  were, 
in  genera],  not  demoralized.  The  dispersion  of  regiments 
had.  in  the  main,  been  the  result  purely  of  the  natural  ob 
structions  and  of  rapid  and  bewildering  movements  in  the 
gloom  of  the  forest.  Had  the  enemy  delayed  an  hour  or 
two  to  get  his  commands  together  out  in  the  sunlight 
along  the  open  road,  he  would  have  found  his  old  antago 
nists  on  hand  to  receive  him  with  right  good  will.  And  by 
great  good  luck  this  respite  was  given.  Longstreet,  in  an 
unlucky  moment,  after  throwing  back  the  Second  Corps  and 
its  supporting  divisions,  by  his  famous  flank  movement,  re 
ceived  a  volley  while  riding  down  the  front  of  the  brigades 
that  had  made  this  decisive  movement,  which  severely 
wounded  him  and  killed  General  Jenkins.  Such  an  acci 
dent,  occurring  at  such  a  time,  was  fraught  with  moment 
ous  consequences.  The  command  of  Longstreet's  corps  de 
volved  upon  (Jen.  K.  H.  Anderson,  and  General  Lee,  arriv 
ing  on  the  ground,  postponed  the  attack. 

By  three  o'clock  Hancock  had  his  troops  ready  to  meet 
the  enemy.  General  Grant,  however,  was  not  disposed  to 
be  content  with  a  defensive  position,  and  orders  were  re 
ceived  from  general  headquarters  to  prepare  for  an  attack 
all  along  the  line  at  six  o'clock.  That  order  was  destined 
to  be  anticipated  by  the  enemy's  initiative,  for,  at  4.<>0  p.  M. 
our  skirmishers  were  driven  in,  and  the  Confederates  ad 
vanced  against  the  entrenchments  on  the  Brock  road.  The 
attack  was  a  real  one,  but  was  not  made  with  great  spirit; 
the  enemy's  forces  advanced  to  within  one  hundred  yards 
of  the  Union  line,  and,  halting,  opened  fire,  to  which  our 
troops  replied  with  spirit,  but  kept  too  much  down  behind 
the  log  breastworks,  thus  discharging  their  guns  in  the  air. 


294  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    li.    1.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [May, 

The  breastworks  had  now  taken  lire  at  a  number  of  places 
from  dry  leaves  and  twigs,  resulting  from  the  discharge  of 
musketry.  The  heat,  at  times,  became  intense,  and  the 
smoke,  blown  backward  over  the  entrenchments,  not  only 
concealed  the  enemy  from  view,  but  blinded  and  stifled  our 
men.  At  last,  in  the  most  unexpected  and  unnecessary 
form,  came  a  break  in  our  line.  Just  at  the  junction  of  the 
Brock  and  Plank  roads  some  of  Mott's  troops  in  the  second 
line  gave  way  without  the  slightest  cause  other  than  ex 
citement  and  the  strain  and  the  labors  and  losses  of  the 
morning,  and  a  portion  of  (Ten.  J.  H.  Hobart  Ward's  brig 
ade,  of  Kirney's  division,  rushed  pell-mell  to  the  rear,  their 
commander  jumping  upon  a  caisson,  which  was  driven  rap 
idly  off.  These  were  the  new  troops  that  had  joined  us  from 
the  Third  Corps,  and  whom  we  called  ever  after  that,  the 
"Flying  Diamonds,"  as  they  continued  to  wear  the  diamond 
badge  upon  their  caps.  Following  up  the  advantage  they 
had  gained,  Jenkins's  (Confederate)  brigade,  now  com 
manded  by  Colonel  liratton,  dashed  forward  through  the 
smoke,  and  mounted  their  breastworks  on  the  left  of  the 
Plank  road,  and  planted  their  colors  there.  It  was  a  crit 
ical  moment,  rather  from  the  generally  strained  and  tired 
condition  of  our  troops,  than  from  the  actual  number  of 
the  enemy  who  had  thus  gained  entrance;  but,  startling  as 
was  the  exigency,  it  was  met  as  promptly.  Carroll's  brig 
ade  (himself  wounded,  with  his  arm  in  a  sling)  at  this  mo 
ment  lay  in  reserve  on  the  right  of  the  Plank  road.  The 
time  had  come  for  him  to  do  the  same  feat  of  arms  which  he 
had  performed  on  the  night  of  July  12d  at  Gettysburg.  Put 
ting  his  brigade  into  motion,  himself,  with  his  bandaged 
arm.  he,  at  the  head  of  the  column,  dashed  on  the  run  across 
the  road,  and  then  coming  to  a  front,  charged  forward,  en 
countering  the  exultant  Confederates  in  the  very  moment 
of  their  triumph,  and  hurled  them  headforemost  over  the 
entrenchments.  In  an  instant  the  danger  had  arisen  and 
had  disappeared.  The  enemy  fell  back  into  the  woods,  and 


1864.]  WILDEKNESS  295 

the  firing  shortly  after  died  down  along  the  left  of  the  line. 
It  does  not  belong  to  the  scope  of  a  private  soldier's  diary 
to  tell  of  the  severe  fighting  that  occurred  that  morning  on 
the  front  of  Sedgwick  and  Warren,  who  loyally  carried  out 
their  assigned  tasks  of  keeping  Kwell  occupied,  or  of  that 
startling  event  of  the  early  evening,  when  Gordon's  and 
Johnson's  brigades,  getting  on  the  flank  of  the  Sixth  Corps 
with  Pegram  attacking  in  front,  rolled  up  the  brigades  of 
Shaler  and  Seymour,  capturing  large  numbers  of  prisoners, 
including  both  of  those  general  officers.  Such,  in  brief,  was 
the  part  taken  by  the  Second  Corps  in  the  sanguinary  bat 
tle  of  the  Wilderness. 

The  corps  was  sent  beyond  Todd's  Tavern,  on  the  morn 
ing  of  May  5th,  and  had  been  ordered  to  countermarch  and 
move  by  the  way  of  the  Brock  road  to  the  Orange  Plank 
road,  to  resist  the  attempt  of  Hill's  two  divisions  to  pene 
trate  between  the  columns  of  Hancock  and  Warren.  On 
its  arrival  it  had  found  (Jetty  confronting  large  odds,  and, 
as  soon  as  its  two  leading  divisions  could  be  brought  up, 
it  went  into  action,  driving  the  enemy  before  it,  but  was  de 
prived,  by  the  coming  on  of  night,  of  the  opportunity  to 
achieve  a  complete  success,  Hill  having,  as  it  proved,  no 
support  that  could  have1  been  brought  up  for  many  hours  to 
come.  In  this  position  the  Second  Corps  found  itself  on 
the  evening  of  the  (5th,  after  having  already  been  the  par 
ticipant  in  that  two  days'  mighty  struggle.  The  corps 
passed  the  night  in  the  position  it  had  occupied  twenty-four 
hours  before. 

Two  recruits  for  our  battery,  Joseph  Iloyle  and  Charles 
A.  Lawrence,  joined  us  May  .'Jd,  the  same  day  as  we  were 
about  to  proceed  on  our  march  for  the  Wilderness.  Our 
battery  was  not  actively  engaged  at  that  battle,  and  as  our 
two  recruits  had  never  seen  any  fighting,  they  started  on 
their  own  account  to  view  the  battle  from  near  the  front 
line.  Unfortunately  for  them  they  paid  dearly  for  their 
temerity  for  both  were  wounded.  Hoyle  being  wounded  in 


296  BATTER  V    A,     FIRST    R.    1.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [May, 

the  foot,  while  Lawrence  was  wounded  so  badly  that  he 
neyer  returned  to  the  battery,  and  it  is  supposed  that  he 
was  burned  while  lying  in  the  woods  which  were  on  fire 
during  that  awful  battle. 

The  losses  sustained  by  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  and 
of  Burnside's  Ninth  Corps  (which  until  the  29th  of  May 
was  not  formally  considered  as  a  part  of  that  army)  were 
2,265  killed,  10,220  wounded,  and  2,902  missing;  total, 
15.387.  Many  of  the  missing  were  doubtless  killed  or 
wounded  in  the  thickets  unobserved  by  their  comrades. 
The  losses  of  the  Second  Corps  were:  Killed:  699; 
wounded,  3,877;  missing,  516;  total,  5,092. 

On  the  7th,  after  sleeping  near  the  guns  in  the  earth 
works,  we  began  to  strengthen  them  at  daylight,  and,  after 
a  hasty  breakfast,  we  awaited  the  oncoming  contest  which 
we  all  expected,  but  which  did  not  take  place,  as  there  was 
very  little  fighting  that  day  by  the  infantry,  although  there 
was  some  sharp  fighting  on  the  part  of  the  cavalry  near 
Todd's  Tavern.  The  woods  were  still  on  fire,  and  it  was  re 
ported  that  a  large  number  of  our  wounded  had  perished  in 
them.  By  the  prisoners  brought  in  the  report  was  con 
firmed  that  General  Longstreet  was  wounded,  and  General 
Jenkins  killed  by  their  own  men. 

Viewed  in  the  light  of  General  Grant's  professed  policy 
of  reducing  his  army  by  continuous  "hammering"  or  "attri 
tion,-'  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness  was  the  most  successful, 
always  excepting  the  glorious  but  terrible  12th  of  May,  of 
all  the  actions  of  that  year. 

On  Sunday,  the  8th  of  May,  the  weather  was  hot  and  dry, 
the  woods  still  burning  furiously,  and,  by  all  reports,  the 
dead  and  wounded  had  been  burned  in  great  numbers.  The 
army's  base  of  supplies  had  been  changed  from  Brandy  Sta 
tion  and  Culpepper  to  Fredericksburg.  Our  wounded  that 
had  been  rescued  were  sent  there  as  quickly  as  possible ;  the 
roads  were  filled  with  wagons  and  ambulances,  all  moving 
in  that  direction.  No  one  who  has  ever  seen  an  army 


SERGT.  AMOS  M.  C.  OLNEY. 

Enrolled  as  private  in  Battery  A  ;  promoted  Corporal  ;   Sergeant  ;  re-enlisted 
as  a  veteran  volunteer  and  served  throughout  the  war. 


1864.]  TODD'S  TAVERN  AND  PO  RIVER  297 

change  its  base  lias  any  conception  of  the  vastness  and  com 
plexity  of  such  a  movement.  The  battle  of  the  Wilderness, 
the  first  of  the  campaign  of  1864,  was  over.  Lee  had  no 
disposition  to  renew  the  fighting  which  he  had  brought  on 
to  gain  time  to  bring  up  Longstreet's  corps.  After  his  un 
fortunate  attempt  at  Gettysburg  Lee  was  very  unlikely  to 
attack  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  on  a  third  day.  General 
Grant  appeared  in  nowise  daunted  by  the  bitter  fighting  of 
the  5th  and  6th,  and,  in  the  early  morning  of  the  7th,  Gen 
eral  Birney  was  ordered  to  make  a  reconnoissance  in  force 
down  the  Plank  road,  to  develop  the  position  of  the  enemy, 
who  were  found  to  be  so  far  retired  from  our  front  as  to 
cause  General  Grant  to  decide  not  to  make  a  further  effort 
in  that  direction,  but  throw  his  whole  army  to  the  left,  with 
the  view  to  get  between  Lee  and  Richmond,  or  place  himself 
in  a  position  so  threatening  as  to  compel  Lee's  attack. 
There  was  an  additional  reason  for  this  movement  at  this 
time,  namely,  that  General  Butler's  Army  of  the  James  had 
reached  City  Point  from  the  south,  and  General  Grant's  ul 
timate1  plan  of  action  involved  the  union  of  the  two  armies. 
In  the  execution  of  this  purpose,  the  cavalry  was  to  hold 
the  roads  crossing  the  Po  River,  by  which  the  enemy  would 
have  their  most  direct  route  from  the  Wilderness  down  to 
Spottsylvania  Court  House,  the  point  selected  by  Grant  as 
his  immediate1  objective.  The  Fifth  Corps  Avas  to  take  the 
lead,  and  it  was  expected  by  a  rapid  march  down  the  Brock 
road  and  under  cover  of  the  cavalry,  to  occupy  Spottslyva- 
nia,  and  to  be  re-enforced  by  the  Sixth  Corps  coming  up  on 
the  left  by  an  interior  road  to  the  Brock  road,  and  subse 
quently  the  Ninth  Corps  coming  up  on  the  left  of  the  Sixth. 
As  soon  as  the  Fifth  Corps  should  pass,  leaving  the  Brock 
road  for  Hancock,  the  Second  Corps,  which  was  now  the 
left  of  the  army,  should  move  to  Todd's  Tavern,  about  half 
way  to  Spottsylvania,  becoming  thus  the  right  of  the  army; 
and  would  hold  the  Catharpin  road,  which,  running  east 
and  Avest,  crossed  nearly  at  right  angles  the  north  and  south 


298  BATTEUl    A,    FIRST    11.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [May, 

roads  which  the  army  was  to  occupy  in  the  turning  move 
ment  thus  initiated.     The  trains  were  to  move  at  three  p.  M. 
of  the  7th.     Warren  was  not  to  set  out  until  dark.     The  at 
tempt  to  seize  Spottsylvania  failed  through  some  of  those 
unforeseen    circumstances    which    so    frequently    happen    in 
war.     General  Lee  had  been  informed  what  the  Union  com 
mander  contemplated  doing,  and  he  therefore  ordered  Long- 
street's  corps,  now  under  Anderson,  to  move  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  8th   to  Spottsylvania.     Anderson,  however,  was 
so  far  influenced  by  the  fact  that  the  woods  in   which   his 
corps  lay  were  still  burning,  that  he  determined  to  set  out 
on  the  evening  of  the  7th  and  make  a  night  march  of  it,  a 
distance  of  about  fifteen  miles.     By  this  movement  it  came 
about  that  when  the  head  of  Warren's  column,  having  been 
delayed  by  Fitz  Hugh  Lee's  cavalry  on  the  Brock  road,  ar 
rived  at  Spottsylvania,  instead  of  finding,  as  he  expected, 
nothing    but    cavalry    to    contend    with,    found    Anderson's 
corps  already   in  position.     Here  was  a  general   who  had, 
without  orders,  marched  all  night,  and  by  so  doing  saved 
Lee's  whole  army  from  being  cut  off.     We  are  not  in  po 
sition  to  know  what  would  have  happened  to  him  had  the 
position   he  left   without   orders   been   attacked,   but,   as   it 
was,  it  turned  out  to  be  a  fortunate  movement  for  General 
Lee.     Anderson,    not   having   any   instructions    or   informa 
tion  from  Lee,  who  had  not  contemplated  any  attempt  by 
the  Union  forces  to  seize  Spottsylvania,  but  finding  Stuart 
heavily  engaged  with  infantry,  he  at  once  set  to  work  con 
structing  breastworks.     Warren,  coming  up  with  the  head 
of  his  column,  not  being  aware  or  making  any  investigation 
as  to  the  general  movement  of  the  army,  and  believing  that 
only  cavalry  was  in  his  front,  began  an  attack  without  any 
preparations.     Griffin's     and     Robinson's     divisions     were 
thrown  in  and  were  repulsed  with  heavy  loss,  General  Rob 
inson  falling,  severely  wounded.     This  check  caused  Warren 
to  bring  up  his  remaining  divisions,  and  hard  fighting  en 
sued,  with  varying  success,  but  with  the  general  result  that 


1864.]  TODD'S  TAVERN  AND  PO  RIVER  299 

the  Fiftli  Corps  was  drawn  close  in  front  of  Anderson's 
breastworks,  Avhere  Warren  determined  to  await  the  ar 
rival  of  Sedgwick. 

It  appeared  to  me  as  though  he  should  not  have  made  the 
attack  until  Sedgwick  had  come  up,  which  would  have  made 
a  great  difference  to  the  success  of  our  army.  It  looked  as 
if  he  had  been  too  fast  as  at  Mine  Run  in  November.  It  was 
not  until  late  in  the  afternoon  that  the  attack  was  made  by 
Sedgwick  and  Warren. 

General  Walker  says :  "Hut  whatever  might  or  might 
not  have  been  done  on  the  late  afternoon  of  the  8th  of  May, 
Anderson's  line  was  not  carried  before  night,  and  already 
other  Confederate  columns  were  pressing  to  his  support. 
Meanwhile,  Hancock  was,  during  the  whole  day  of  the  8th, 
performing  the  part  assigned  him  at  Todd's  Tavern  of  hold 
ing  the  Catharpin  road  against  any  attempt  of  the  enemy 
of  cutting  the  north  and  south  roads  by  which  Grant's 
troops  and  trains  were  moving.  That  attempt  was  very 
near  to  being  made,  for  General  Lee,  full  of  his  thought 
that  Grant  was  moving  on  Frederickshurg.  had  ordered 
Early,  in  temporary  command  of  Hill's  corps,  to  move  by 
Todd's  Tavern  to  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  as  a  part  of 
his  own  general  plan  to  push  his  army  rapidly  southward 
to  interpose  between  Fredericksburg  and  Richmond. 
Whether  General  Lee,  had  he  known  that  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac*  was  moving  on  Spottsylvania,  would  have  chosen 
to  assail  i1  by  attack  on  the  Catharpin  road,  we  cannot 
know;  certain  it  is  that  Early,  arriving  in  front  of  Han 
cock's  position,  interpreted  his  orders  to  mean  essentially 
that  he  was  to  go  to  Spottsylvania,  and  not  that  he  was  to 
light  a  battle  at  Todd's  Tavern;  and  so,  his  designated 
route  being  barred  against  him  by  a  force  which  would,  at 
least,  have  exacted  a  hard  light  and  a  long  delay  before 
letting  him  pass.  Early  made  no  serious  attempt  to  break 
through  here." 

Our    (Second)    corps   had   arrived   later  than  was  antici- 


300  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [May, 

pated,  owing  to  the  occupation  of  the  Brock  road  by  the 
Fifth  Corps,  and  our  leading  brigade  not  being  able  to  move 
out  of  its  entrenchments  until  daylight,  at  which  time  it 
had  been  assumed  in  the  general  plan  that  the  corps  would 
be  at  the  Tavern.  Nothing  occurred,  however,  to  make  the 
delay  important.  On  our  arrival  at  the  Catharpin  road. 
Miles,  with  his  brigade  and  with  a  brigade  of  Gregg's  cav 
alry  and  a  battery,  was  sent  forward  on  the  road  nearly 
to  Corbin's  Bridge,  where  it  remained  until  late  in  the  after 
noon.  About  5.. SO  i».  M.,  while  Miles  was  retiring  under  or 
ders,  he  encountered  the  division  of  Mahone  moving  under 
The  instructions  of  General  Lee,  which  we  have  already 
mentioned.  The  collision  was  sharp;  but  Miles,  twice  fac 
ing  about,  beat  back  the  enemy  advancing  upon  him. 
Smyth's  brigade  was  advanced  to  Miles's  support.  Expec 
tation  of  battle  was  now  at  its  height,  as  it  was  not  doubted 
that  the  Confederates  were  attempting  to  "counter"  upon 
General  Meade,  answering  his  advance  upon  Spottsylvania 
by  a  movement  upon  his  right  and  rear.  Inasmuch  as  Gib 
bon's  division  had  been  called  for  at  1.30  P.  M.  to  move  down 
toward  Warren,  to  support  the  Fifth  Corps,  if  required, 
Burton's  brigade  of  heavy  artillery  was  sent  up  by  General 
Meade  at  G.30  to  re-enforce  Hancock,  in  view  of  the  antici 
pated  attack.  A  reconnoissaiice  was  made  out  on  the  Brock 
road  in  consequence  of  a,  report,  which  proved  to  be  un 
founded,  that  the  enemy  were  advancing  from  that  direc 
tion.  And  so  the  Second  Corps  stood  to  arms  all  the  after 
noon  and  into  the  early  evening,  believing  that  another  of 
its  great  davs  of  battle  had  come,  and  that  it  was  to  be 

O  t 

called  upon  to  resist  a  supreme  effort  of  the  Confederate 
general,  who  had  shown  such  capacity  for  the  dangerous 
initiative,  to  break  through  into  Meade's  right  rear  and  to 
turn  the  whole  course  of  the  campaign.  But  the  sun  went 
down,  and  darkness  came  on,  and  the  anticipated  battle  of 
Todd's  Tavern  was  never  fought. 

During  the  afternoon  General  Grant  passed  by  us,  and 


1864.]  PO  RIVER  301 

was  well  received  by  the  troops.  It  was  not  known  how 
many  men  had  fallen  in  the  skirmishing  of  that  day,  and 
in  Miles's  brush  with  Mahone;  but  among  the  killed  were 
Captains  William  A.  Collins  and  Thomas  G.  Morrison,  of 
the  Sixty-first  New  York,  and  Lieut.'  Perrin  C.  Judkins,  of 
the  First  United  States  Sharpshooters.  The  latter  officer 
was  serving  on  the  staff  of  the  Second  Brigade  of  the  Third 
Division. 

During  the  night  of  the  8th  and  9th  of  May,  the  sounds 
reported  from  the  picket  line  intimated  a  concentration  of 
troops  in  our  front,  arid,  when  morning  came,  there  were  in 
dications  of  an  advance  by  the  enemy  upon  Birney's  front 
along  the  Catharpin  road.  This  caused  Gibbon's  division 
to  be  drawn  in  somewhat,  perhaps  a  mile  from  its  advanced 
position,  toward  Spottsylvania,  so  that  it  made  connection 
with  Birney.  and  the  brigade  of  heavy  artillery  was  again 
called  u]).  but  no  attack  was  made.  While  lying  in  sus 
pense,  momentarily  expecting  the  fight  to  start,  the  saddest 
of  all  sad  intelligence  came  to  us  that  our  old  beloved  com 
mander.  General  Sedgwick.  had  been  killed  while  looking 
over  a  part  of  his  line  of  battle  to  place  artillery.  Although 
he  had  been  for  some  time  the  commander  of  the  Sixth 
Corps,  yet  our  Second  Division  felt  its  loss  keenly,  as  he 
had  endeared  himself  to  us  by  close  association  on  many 
battlefields  and  fatiguing  marches. 

On  the  Oth  we  held  our  position  until  after  nine  o'clock, 
when  we  marched  down  the  Brock  road  beyond  the  position 
held  by  Gibbon  the  day  before,  and  three  divisions  of  the 
Second  Corps  went  into  line  of  battle  on  high  open  ground 
overlooking  the  valley  of  the  I'o  River.  Our  battery  went 
into  breastworks  which  had  been  thrown  up  by  the  infantry 
but,  although  we  were  in  a  favorable  position,  no  engage 
ment  took  place  there.  About  noon  we  received  orders  to 
move,  and  took  a  new  position  on  a  bluff  overlooking  the 
1V>  River,  where  an  excellent  view  was  obtained  of  the  en 
emy's  wagon  trains,  within  easy  shelling  distance  of  us. 


302  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    T.     LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [May, 

Shortly  after  arriving  there.  Generals  Grant  and  Meade, 
with  their  staffs,  came  up  and  dismounted  near  our  posi 
tion.  General  Hancock  also  joined  them.  After  quite  a 
long  consultation  they  decided  to  try  a  few  shots  on  the 
wagon  train,  which  we  could  see  across  the  river.  The 
right  section  of  our  battery,  under  Lieutenant  Hunt,  was 
chosen  to  go  into  position  and  open  fire,  and  a  section  of 
Battery  B  went  with  it.  As  usual,  our  gunners  used  good 
judgment,  and  landed  their  very  first  shots  in  the  midst  of 
the  enemy,  who  broke  in  great  confusion  and  fled  in  all  di 
rections.  A  battery  on  the  enemy's  side  was  put  into  posi 
tion  and  opened  upon  our  two  sections,  one  or  two  of  their 
shots  taking  effect,  killing  two  men  of  Battery  B,  and  se 
verely  wounding  in  the  face  Walter  Arnold,  one  of  our  lead 
drivers.  Here  was  another  illustration  of  the  good  fortune 
of  Battery  A.  It  always  seemed  to  me  as  if  we  were  pro 
tected  by  some  indefinable  providence,  or  there  would  have 
been  none  of  the  battery  left  to  tell  of  their  experiences,  or 
how  they  had  escaped  from  the  many  dangers,  seen  and  un 
seen,  to  which  they  had  been  exposed.  After  shelling  the 
train  it  was  decided  by  our  generals  to  throw  a  division 
across  the  river,  and  General  Hancock  had  two  bridges  of 
green  timber  made,  and  General  Barlow  took  over  with  him 
part  of  the  new  troops  from  the  Third  Corps  which  we  had 
termed  the  "Flying  Diamonds,"  and  who  fully  sustained 
their  previous  reputation  on  that  occasion.  The  intention 
of  our  generals  was  to  capture  the  train,  but  some  writers 
think  a  grave  mistake  was  made  by  shelling  it,  as  it  enabled 
Lee  to  concentrate  his  troops  at  that  point,  and  allowed  the 
train  to  make  its  escape,  and  the  troops  which  had  been 
thrown  across  the  river  came  near  being  captured.  It  was 
now  decided  that  three  divisions  instead  of  one  should  be 
thrown  across,  with  a  view  of  gaining  the  rear  of  Lee's 
troops  at  Spottsylvania.  Our  First  Division  crossed  with 
great  difficulty,  owing  to  the  steepness  of  the  banks,  and 
densely  wooded  portion  where  Brooke's  brigade  went  over. 


1864.]  PO  RIVER  303 

Birney  soon  crossed  above,  and  Gibbon  below.  By  this 
time  there  was  something  more  than  a  wagon  train  to  deal 
with  (the  train  being  then  safe  within  the  enemy's  lines), 
a  large  rebel  force  having  been  sent  to  that  point  for  our 
troops  to  contend  against.  It  was  nearly  dark  when  the 
last  divisions  were  well  across.  Birney  had  to  drive  the 
enemy's  cavalry  and  a  section  of  artillery  from  a  mill  race 
at  the  point  where  he  was  to  cross.  General  Hancock 
found  it  impossible  to  advance,  as  he  desired,  to  the  bridge 
on  the  Shady  Grove  and  Block  House  road  which  led  di 
rectly  into  Lee's  rear,  owing  to  the  lateness  of  our  getting 
across,  and  the  density  of  the  woods.  Hy  dark  he  was  only 
able  to  get  his  skirmishers  up  to  the  bridge;  and  here  be 
tween  Glady  Run  and  I'o  River  we  rested  for  the  night, 
while  our  engineers  were1  actively  building  bridges  through 
the  night  at  three  different  points,  and  by  morning  our 
communications  were  established. 

Tuesday  morning  of  May  10th  found  three  divisions  of 
the  Second  <1orps  across  the  IN),  threatening  Lee's  left  mink, 
with  (our)  Barlow's  division  in  advance  on  the  Block  house 
and  Shady  Grove  Church  road  facing  east,  just  where  the 
road  crossed  the  river  to  run  into  the  enemy's  rear.  It  was 
another  one  of  those  hot,  dry,  mornings,  and,  at  daylight, 
a  reconnoissance  was  made  in  force  to  ascertain  the  feasi 
bility  of  carrying  the  bridge  by  assault.  The  enemy  was 
found  in  force  and  well  entrenched  in  a  position  which  com 
manded  the  bridge  and  its  approaches,  and  the  stream  was 
found  to  be  too  deep  for  fording.  During  this  skirmish 
near  the  bridge  our  battery  changed  position,  the  right  sec 
tion  going  to  the  left  and  had  a  very  sharp  engagement; 
and  at  one  time  came  near  being  captured,  as  the  enemy 
had  outflanked  us;  but  by  a  quick  movement  of  Brooke  we 
were  relieved  and  succeeded  in  extricating  ourselves  from 
that  grave  predicament.  It  was  now  decided  by  our  gen 
erals  to  try  and  turn  the  position,  and  Brooke's  brigade  was 
sent  along  the  river,  while  General  Birney  was  directed  to 


304  BATTERY    A,     FIRST     It.     I.    LKJHT    ARTILLERY       [May, 

push  a  brigade  out  on  the  Andrews  Tavern  road  to  cover 
the  movement.  Brooke  succeeded  in  crossing  the  river  half 
way  between  the  bridge  and  the  month  of  Glady  Run,  throw 
ing  out  a  detachment  under  Lieut. -Col.  John  S.  Hammill, 
of  the  Sixty-sixth  New  York,  who  pushed  the  enemy  with 
determination  until  he  succeeded  in  driving  them  back  into 
their  works,  when  their  real  line  was  discovered.  Prepara 
tions  were  now  made  to  follow  up  Brooke's  success  by 
throwing  across  a  sufficient  force  to  take  in  flank  and  rear 
the  force  holding  the  bridge-head,  and  to  cross  with  the  re 
maining  troops  and  continue  his  turning  movement.  But 
at  this  moment  everything  seemed  to  be  at  a  standstill,  and, 
to  our  surprise,  Gibbon's  and  Birney's  divisions  were 
marched  away,  which  left  our  (Barlow's)  division  in  an 
exposed  and  isolated  position.  While  Birney's  skirmish 
line  was  being  drawn  in  they  were  attacked  by  Heth's  skir 
mishers,  who  had  crossed  the  To  near  the  mouth  of  Glady 
Run,  and  had  also  attacked  the  skirmishers  of  Barlow.  We 
learned  afterwards  that  General  Meade  had  Avithdrawn 
Hancock  with  two  of  his  divisions  to  join  the  Fifth  Corps 
near  the  Union  centre,  as  an  attack  was  to  be  made  at  live 
p.  M.  at  or  near  Alsop's;  but  on  General  Grant's  hearing  of 
the  condition  of  Barlow's  division,  Avhich  had  been  left 
across  the  Po,  he  directed  Hancock  to  return  with  all  haste 
When  that  general  came  upon  the  tield  from  the  centre  he 
found  his  First  Division  sharply  engaged  with  the  skirmish 
ers  of  Heth.  It  was  an  inspiring  sight  to  watch  our  skir 
mishers  advancing  towards  the  enemy,  taking  advantage  of 
every  tree,  stump,  or  place  of  shelter,  as  they  advanced.  On 
that  occasion  our  skirmishers  were  plainly  to  be  seen,  and 
were  well  handled  by  their  officers ;  and  it  must  aiso  be  said 
that  the  enemy  exhibited  good  judgment  as  well,  and  kept 
their  men  close  in  hand.  About  two  o'clock  the  order  to 
withdraw  Barlow  came.  This  placed  Barlow  in  a  trying 
situation,  being  pressed  hard  in  front  with  heavy  woods 
and  a  river  in  his  rear.  He  was  verv  loth  to  abandon  his 


SERGT.  STEPHEN  M.  GREENE. 

Enrolled  as  Private;    promoted  Corporal;    Sergeant.     On  recruiting   service 
in  Rhode  Island  for  a  time;  mustered  out  June  6,  1864. 


1864.]  PO  RIVER  305 

position,  having  the  strongest  division  in  the  army,  and, 
upon  such  a  field,  lie  felt  certain  of  success  if  allowed  to  ad 
vance  instead  of  retreat;  but  orders  must  be  obeyed,  and 
soon  the  retrograde  movement  began.  Generals  Hancock 
and  Barlow,  with  their  staffs,  were  doing  all  that  lay  in 
their  power.  Brooke's  and  Brown's  brigades,  with  (our) 
Arnold's  battery,  which  formed  1he  front  line,  were  now 
ordered  to  fall  back.  Our  left  section  was  sent  to  the  right 
near  some  heavy  pine  woods,  all  the  other  batteries  having 
been  sent  across  the  river.  The  fighting  now  became  close 
and  bloody.  We  were  outnumbered  nearly  two  to  one,  and, 
finding  us  on  the  retreat,  and  encouraged  by  it.  the  enemy 
determined  to  crush  us  then  and  there,  rushing  forward 
with  loud  yells,  they  forced  their  way  up  to  our  line,  deliver 
ing  a  deadly  fire  as  they  advanced.  Our  position  with  the 
two  guns  of  the  left  section  was  near  to  and  facing  the 
Shady  drove  road,  and,  for  half  an  hour,  guns  were  never 
used  to  better  advantage.  Our  position  was  a  critical  one. 
with  an  open  field  in  front  and  heavy  woods  in  our  rear  and 
with  no  road  to  get  out  by.  Our  troops  had  now  gone,  and 
it  is  said  we  were  left  with  that  section  to  cover  the  troops 
while  falling  back.  This,  to  me,  always  seemed  very  singu 
lar  for  one  section  of  a.  battery  to"  cover  the  retreat  of  a  divi 
sion  without  an  infantryman  in  sight.  Captain  Arnold  and 
Lieutenant  Blake  remained  with  the  section,  and  when  our 
position  became  untenable  Ave  were  ordered  to  load  the  guns 
and  lie  down,  which  was  done,  the  horses  being  turned 
around  and  the  limber  backed  up  near  the  guns  until  the 
enemy  should  get  very  near,  who  at  that  time  were  massing 
ready  to  charge  with  a  battery  which  was  firing  canister 
part  of  the  time.  This,  to  me,  seemed  the  most  trying  sit 
uation  in  which  1  had  ever  been  placed.  Our  men  were  ly 
ing  close1  until  the  order  to  fire  was  given,  when  both  guns, 
loaded  with  canister,  caused  such  havoc  among  the  enemy, 
that  they  became  panic-stricken,  and  two  of  their  guns 
which  were  very  near  us  were  put  out  of  service.  Our 

20 


306  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [May 

troops  had  gone,  part  of  them  being  the  so-called  "Flying 
Diamonds,"  who  had  broke  and  left  their  comrades  to  the 
mercy  of  the  rebels.  Our  guns  were  now  loaded  with  can 
ister  and  fired  as  fast  as  men  could  work  until  General  Bar 
low  came  in  person  and  said  to  our  captain,  "Why  don't 
yon  get  out  of  here?"  When  told  we  had  received  no  orders 
to  get  out  he  said,  "I  have  sent  three  men  to  you,  to  tell  you 
to  get  out."  This  was  doubtless  true,  but  not  one  of  those 
men  had  reached  us.  The  guns  were  limbered  as  quickly 
as  possible,  and,  by  a  road  which  had  been  cut  for  us,  we 
started;  but,  before  we  had  gone  far,  found  that:  the  enemy 
held  the  other  end  of  it,  and  our  only  chance  was  to  take  to 
the  woods,  which  wras  done.  The  writer  was  driving  the 
wheel  horses  of  the  sixth  gnu  and  was  leading  the  way  out. 
Once  we  got  hung  between  two  trees,  but  I  soon  cut  them 
away  with  the  axe  which  was  always  carried  on  the  limber- 
chest,  and  I  kept  on.  The  captain  and  lieutenant,  witli  a 
sergeant  and  both  detachments,  stayed  with  the  fifth  gun, 
which  had  got  hung  between  two  trees,  and  they  could  not 
get  it  free,  so  the  horses  were  cut  from  it  and  it  Avas  left  to 
the  enemy,  making  six  guns  our  battery  had  lost  in  three 
years,  and  the  first  gun  ev^r  lost  by  the  Second  Corps. 
Sergt.  Augustus  S.  Towle  stayed  with  me,  and  I  had  two 
drivers  who  were  attached  from  the  infantry  to  drive  my 
lead  and  swing  horses.  After  working  our  way  through 
the  woods  for  half  a  mile  we  came  to  a  very  steep  hill;  bul 
lets  were  coming,  it  seemed  to  me,  faster  than  I  had  ever 
heard  them  before1.  As  soon  as  possible  I  dismounted  and 
locked  both  wheels,  then  mounted  and  started  down.  It 
was  impossible  for  the  horses  to  hold  the  gun  with  both 
wheels  locked,  but  coming  to  an  old  tree  that  had  fallen 
across  our  path  it  broke1  the  force  of  the  gun  enough  to  give 
the  horses  a  new  hold,  and  we  succeeded  in  getting  do\vn 
all  right;  but  now  how  were  we  to  get  out?  After  resting 
the  horses  a  few  minutes  we  started  up  a  single  path,  and, 
on  reaching  the  top,  came  in  front  of  a  line  of  battle  advanc- 


1864.]  THE    ASSAULT    OX    THE    LEFT  307 

ing  on  the  woods.  It  was  now  open  ground  along  the  hill 
side,  but  very  rough,  which  made  it  bad  for  us.  Yet  it  was 
our  only  hope  and  we  used  whip  and  spur  to  the  horses, 
and,  by  a  miracle,  got  away;  yet  every  man  in  that  line  of 
battle  shot  at  us.  There  was  a  perfect  sheet  of  lead  pass 
ing  over  our  heads.  On  our  arrival  at  the  bridge,  the  en 
gineers  were  cutting  it  away  as  fast  as  they  could,  and  not 
one  of  them  believed  it  would  hold  sufficiently  to  enable  us 
to  cross  over,  and  said  we  Avould  go  down  if  we  should  at 
tempt  it.  The  sergeant  went  first,  then  we  drove  on  with 
the  gun.  Tt  went  into  the  water  so  that  one  of  our  wheels 
was  nearly  to  the  hubs,  but  did  not  give  way,  and  we  pulled 
out  safely;  the  bridge  being  made  of  green  timber  it  was 
very  tough,  which  saved  us  from  going  down.1  I  am  posi 
tive  I  never  saw  one  of  our  infantrymen  for  a  half  hour  or 
more  before  we  left  the  position;  and  do  not  think  I  ever 
saw  the  rebels  as  dull  as  they  were  on  that  occasion,  or  they 
surely  would  have  captured  us;  although  by  putting  can 
ister  to  them  as  we  did  they  thought  we  had  an  infantry 
support.  Captain  Arnold,  Avhile  trying  to  save  the  fifth 
piece,  received  a  bullet  through  his  hat. 

After  getting  safely  across  the  bridge  we  were  ordered 
into  position  with  the  remainder  of  the  battery  on  the  bluff, 
where  they  were  shelling  across  the  river.  Tt  was  astonish 
ing  to  me,  as  there  were  no  cannoneers  to  work  our  gun, 
and  the  sponge  staff  and  bucket  had  been  torn  off  in  getting 
through  the  woods,  why  we  were  compelled  to  stay  there 


1  It  was  the  third  gun  1  had  saved  or  assisted  in  saving  during  tny  three  years' 
service.  The  so-called  Bull  Run  gun,  which  I  was  instrumental  in  saving  at  the  Bull 
Run  battle,  and  which  has  already  been  referred  to,  was  presented  by  vote  of  the 
General  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island  to  Governor  Sprague,  in  recognition  of  his  ser 
vices  on  that  memorable  21st  day  of  July,  1861.  It  was  placed  by  the  direction  of  the 
recipient  in  the  keeping  of  the  Providence  Marine  Corps  of  Artillery  on  Benefit 
Street  in  that  city.  Of  the  Bristoe  Station  gun,  I  have  never  been  cognizant  of  any 
thing  appearing  in  any  official  reports  or  papers  in  relation  to  the  part  1  took  in  sav 
ing  it.  In  regard  to  the  Po  River  gun  there  never  was  any  dispute  among  the  men  of 
our  battery,  but  that  for  my  own  personal  exertions  the  gun  would  never  have  been 
saved.  I  cut  down  the  trees  that  blocked  the  wheels,  and  handled  my  horses  so  that 
they  were  able  to  take  the  gun  out. 


308  BATTKIIY    A,    FLHST    H.    I.     LICHT    AKTILLKHY      [May, 

under  fire,  horses  jind  all,  and  not  able  to  be  of  any  service 
whatever.  Our  battery,  with  all  the  Second  Corps  artil 
lery,  kept  up  a  hot  fire  until  dark,  setting  fire  to  some  build 
ings  which  were  occupied  by  sharpshooters.  Along  to 
wards  sunset  we  blew  np  a  caisson  for  the  enemy,  who  were 
coming  into  position,  which  effectually  checked  their  ad 
vance-  upon  our  lines.  Our  losses  while  across  the  river 
were  one  man  wounded.  Stern  Keynolds,  an  attached  man 
from  Company  K,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-eighth  Pennsyl 
vania;  and  Loring  W.  \Villey,  attached  man  from  Company 
A,  Nineteenth  Maine,  who  was  killed  and  left  in  the  woods 
with  the  gnn,  and  without  doubt  was  burned. 

While  the  three  divisions  of  tlie  Second  Corps,  Barlow's, 
Hirney's,  and  Gibbon's,  were  across  the  I'o,  in  the  early 
morning  of  the  1.0th,  prosecuting  a.  vigorous  movement 
against  Lee's  left  and  rear,  two  of  them,  .Hirney's  and  Gib 
bon's,  as  we  have  said,  were  withdrawn  by .General  Meade's 
orders,  to  support  the  Fifth  Corps  of  the  centre  in  a  com 
bined  assault  on  the  Confederate  works.  Hancock  had  been 
directed  to  take  command  of  all  troops  here  engaged,  but 
the  necessity  of  withdrawing  Barlow's  division  from  the 
south  side  of  the  river,  under  the  critical  circumstances  de 
scribed,  had  caused  General  Mcade  to  ask  him  to  proceed 
thither  and  give  (Jeneral  Barlow  the  benefit  of  that  assist 
ance  and  advice1  which,  in  such  a  situation,  a  senior  may 
render  to  the  most  capable  and  trusted  junior.  Meanwhile. 
General  Warren  sought,  by  ihe  advance1  of  his  troops,  at 
points,  in  considerable  force,  to  obtain  information  regard 
ing  the  enemy's  position.  The  ground  around  Spottsylvania 
differed  from  that  of  the  Wilderness  very  greatly,  yet  the 
two  had  much  in  common;  differed,  that  the  proportion  of 
open  ground  was  here  much  larger;  had  this  in  common, 
that,  where  the  forest  still  remained,  it  was  scrubby  and 
dense1,  rendering  movements  in  the  line  of  battle  difficult, 
and  observation  over  any  considerable  distance  impossible. 
General  Lee,  who,  since  the  morning  of  the  8th,  had  been 


1864.]  THE    ASSAULT    ON    THE    LEFT  309 

fortifying  Spottsylvania,  had  taken  every  advantage  of  the 
nature  of  the  ground,  much  of  his  front  being  covered  by 
tangled  woods,  almost  as  difficult  to  pass  through  as  ex 
tensive  abattis,  yet  giving  free  passage  to  the  fire  of  mus 
ketry  and  artillery.  Through  a  wide  stretch  of  forest  of 
this  character.  General  Warren,  about  eleven  o'clock  A.  M. 
advanced  two  brigades  of  Gibbon's  division,  which  had  been 
taken  from  our  corps  and  placed  under  his  orders.  The  re 
sistance  made  by  the  enemy  was  obstinate,  and  our  troops 
were  soon  compelled  to  retire  with  loss,  but  not  without 
gaining  the  desired  information  regarding  the  extent  and 
direction  of  the  enemy's  works.  A  little  later  Warren  sent 
forward  two  of  his  own  divisions,  with  a  view  to  gain 
ground  for  the  formation  of  the  column  of  assault;  and,  al 
though  these  troops  also  were  forced  to  give  way,  the  view 
obtained  of  the  enemy's  position  was  such  as  to  induce  Gen 
eral  Warren  to  report  to  General  Meade  that,  in  his  judg 
ment,  a  general  assault  would  be  successful.  This  report, 
combined  with  the  knowledge  that  considerable  bodies  of 
the  enemy  had  been  drawn  off  to  their  left  to  meet  the  threat 
of  Barlow's  advance,  led  General  Meade,  about  3.30  p.  M. 
to  order  the  attack  on  the  centre  to  be  made  at. once. 

On  the  left.  Gen.  Horatio  G.  Wright,  who  had  succeeded 
Sedgwick  in  command  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  was  ordered  to 
attack  with  his  own  corps  and  Mott's  division  of  the  Sec 
ond. 

General  Humphreys's  explicit  and  careful  account  of  this 
day,  says : 

"General  Warren,  wearing  his  full  uniform,  proceeded  to 
assault  the  enemy's  position  with  Crawford's  and  Cutler's 
divisions,  and  Webb's  and  Carroll's  brigades  of  Gibbon's 
division,  under  Gibbon's  orders.  Opposite  the  right  of  this 
attacking  force1  the  woods  in  front  of  the  enemy's  entrench 
ments  were  dense,  and  tilled  with  a  low  growth  of  dead 
cedar  trees,  whose  hard,  sharp-pointed  branches  interlaced 
and  pointed  in  all  directions,  making  it  very  difficult  for 


310  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    II.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [May, 

troops  to  advance  under  the  heavy  artillery  and  musketry 
fire  they  met  at  the  outset.  They  emerged  into  the  open 
ground  near  the  entrenchments  with  disordered  ranks  and 
under  a  heavy  artillery  and  musketry  fire,  part  direct,  part 
flanking,  that  swept  the  whole  ground,  but  went  forward, 
some  to  the  abattis,  others  to  the  crest  of  the  parapet,  but 
were  all  driven  back  with  a  heavy  loss.  General  Carroll 
says  that  the  right  of  his  line  gained  the  enemy's  breast 
works,  and  his  whole  line  reached  the  abattis.  Tt  is  claimed 
that  some  of  Crawford's  men  did  the  same,  or  it  may  be, 
Cutler's.  The  official  diary  of  Longstreet's  corps  says, 
'some  of  the  enemy  succeeded  in  gaining  the  works,  but  are 
killed  in  them.'  Brigadier-general  Rice,  commanding  a 
brigade  of  Cutler's  division,  a  very  gallant  officer,  was  mor 
tally  wounded  in  this  assault.  General  Hancock  returned 
to  the  ground  about  5.30  p.  M.,  just  before  the  close  of  the 
assault.  He  was  ordered  to  renew  it  at  0.30  p.  M.,  but,  un 
der  orders,  deferred  it  until  7  p.  M.,  when  he  attacked  with 
Birney's  and  Gibbon's  divisions,  part  of  the  Fifth  Corps 
uniting  with  him,  but  with  no  more  success  than  the  pre 
ceding  attempt.  In  this  second  attack  the  woods  were  on 
fire  in  some  places. 

UPTON'S  ASSAULT. 
General  AValker  says : 

"The  examination  of  the  enemy's  works  under  cover  of 
skirmishers  of  the  Sixth  Corps  developed  a  part,  of  them 
which  General  Wright  deemed  to  be  vulnerable  to  a  sys 
tematic,  resolute  attack.  The  other  portions  in  his  front 
were  covered  by  a  \vide  slashing  and  had  a.  flanking  artillery 
fire.  The  vulnerable  part  was  the  right  of  Kodes's  front 
held  by  Doles's  brigade,  whose  right  rested  at  the  west  an 
gle  of  what  I  have  called  the  apex  of  the  salient,  and  the 
part  of  the  apex  itself  held  by  the  left  of  Johnson's  divi 
sion.  The  entrenchment  held  by  Doles  was  in  open  ground. 


1864.]  ri'Tox's  ASSAULT  811 

two  hundred  yards  from  a  pine  wood,  with  abattis  in  front 
and  traverses  at  intervals.  In  the  re-entrant  of  the  line 
there  was  a  battery  with  traverses.  One  hundred  yards  in 
rear  was  a  second  line  partly  finished,  occupied  by  a  line  of 
battle.  A  wood-road  led  from  the  Scott  or  Shelton  house, 
where  the  column  of  attack  was  formed,  directly  to  the 
point  of  attack.  Colonel  Upton,  commanding  the  Second 
Brigade,  First  Division,  Sixth  Corps,  was  designated  to 
make  the  attack  on  Doles.  General  Russell  now  com 
manded  the  First  Division.  Colonel  Upton's  command  was 
composed  of  his  own  brigade,  the  Third  Brigade,  formerly 
Russell's,  and  four  regiments  of  Xeill's  brigade  of  the  Sec 
ond  Division.  General  Russell,  Colonel  Upton,  and  all  the 
regimental  commanders  examined  the  ground. 

•'In  conjunction  with  Upton's  attack,  Mott,  early  in  the 
day,  moved  to  the  open  ground  of  the  Brown  house,  which 
is  three-quarters  of  a  mile  north  of  what  I  have  called  the 
apex  of  the  salient;  open  ground  connecting  Brown's  farm 
with  Landron's,  on  the  south  end  of  which  lay  the  apex; 
but  there  was  wood  on  each  side  of  that  open  connecting 
space  that  came  up  to  within  four  or  five  hundred  yards  of 
the  apex.  At  two  p.  M.  General  Mott  was  instructed  by 
General  Wriglit,  under  whose  orders  he  had  been  placed,  to 
be  ready  to  assault  the  works  in  his  front  at  five  o'clock. 
These  works,  like  those  of  Doles's.  had  abattis  and  were 
well  traversed  and  well  supplied  with  artillery. 

"Upton's  column  was  formed  in  four  lines.  They  were 
led  quietly  to  near  the  edge  of  the  wood,  two  hundred  yards 
from  the  enemy.  A  heavy  battery  of  the  Sixth  Corps  had 
been  put  in  position  to  give  a  direct  fire  on  Doles's  front 
to  enfilade  the  apex  line  of  the  salient,  which,  as  before  said, 
adjoined  Doles's  brigade. 

"This  battery  kept  up  a  constant  fire  until  the  moment  of 
Upton's  charge  arrived.  Its  cessation  was  the  signal  to 
charge.  The  column  had  been  led  up  silently  to  the  edge  of 
the  wood.  and.  upon  the  signal  being  given,  rushed  forward 


312  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    11.    1.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [May, 

with  a  hurrah  under  a  terrible  front  and  flank  fire,  gained 
the  parapet,  had  a  hand-to-hand  desperate  struggle  which 
lasted  but  a  few  seconds,  and  the  column  poured  over  the 
works,  capturing  a  large  number  of  prisoners.  Pressing 
forward,  and  extending  right  and  left,  the  second  line  of 
entrenchments  with  its  battery  fell  into  Upton's  hands. 
The  enemy's  line  was  completely  broken  and,  Colonel  Up 
ton  says,  an  opening  made  for  the  division  of  Mott's,  which 
was  to  have  supported  the  left,  but  it  did  not  arrive.  Col 
onel  Upton  says  further,  that  re-enforcements  to  the  enemy 
arrived  and  assailed  him  in  front  and  on  both  .flanks,  the 
impulse  of  the  charge  being  over,  and  it  remained  for  (hem 
to  hold  the  entrenchments  won,  which  they  did  until  Gen 
eral  Russell  ordered  them  to  withdraw,  which  they  effected 
under  the  cover  of  darkness.  Their  loss  in  the  assault  Col 
onel  Upton  states  to  have  been  about  1,000  in  killed, 
wounded,  and  missing.  The  enemy,  he  says,  lost  at  the 
least  100  killed  at  the  first  entrenchment,  and  met  with  a 
much  heavier  loss  in  trying  to  regain  their  wrorks;  that  he 
captured  between  1,000  and  1,200  prisoners  and  several 
stand  of  colors.'7 

Of  the  failure  of  Mott's  division  General  Humphreys  thus 
writes : 

''There  is  no  report  on  the  flies  of  the  War  Department 
from  General  Mott  of  his  attack,  nor  is  there  any  from  Gen 
eral  Wright  of  that  or  any  other  operation  of  that  part  of 
the  campaign.  The  only  report  upon  it  that  I  found  in  the 
War  Department  is  that  of  Colonel  McAllister,  who  com 
manded  the  First  Brigade  of  Mott:s  division;  William  R. 
Brewster  commanded  the  Second  Brigade.  The  division 
consisted  of  two  brigades.  Colonel  McAllister  says  that 
his  brigade  formed  the  first  line,  Colonel  Campbell,  with 
two  regiments  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  being  on  his  right;  that 
the  Second  Brigade  formed  the  second  line,  and  that  the 
command  moved  forward  to  the  attack  punctually  at  five 
o'clock;  but  he  must  be  mistaken  in  the  hour,  since  it  is 


1864.]  UPTON'S  ASSAULT  318 

evident  that  the  attack  of  Mott  was  intended  to  be  simul 
taneous  with  that  of  Upton,  and  must  have  been  set  in  mo 
tion  by  the  same  signal,  the  cessation  of  our  artillery  fire 
in  that  quarter.  On  entering1  the  Held.,  McAllister  says,  the 
enemy  opened  his  batteries  upon  them,  enfilading1  their  lines, 
and  the  men  fell  back  in  confusion,  except  a  small  part  of 
the  front  line,  and  that,  after  consulting  with  his  colonels, 
he  fell  back  to  the  foot  of  the  hill,  where  he  massed  his  com 
mand.  He  says  nothing  of  (Jeneral  Mott,  who  was  Avell 
known  as  a  gallant  officer.  Colonel  McAllister  was  also 
well  known  to  myself  and  many  others  as  a  man  of  courage 
and  coolness. 

"Mott  formed  his  division  for  attack  in  view  of  the  en 
emy,  who  made  every  preparation  to  meet  it.  Upton's  at 
tack  was  concealed  from  their  view  and  was  a  surprise,  and 
the  plan  of  assault  being  well  arranged  and  carried  out, 
was  a  success.  The  plan  and  manner  of  Motfs  assault,  on 
the  contrary,  did  not  admit  of  its  being  a  surprise.  The 
formation  of  his  troops  probably  kept  the  attention  of  the 
enemy  upon  him,  and  in  that  way  helped  more  effectually 
to  conceal  Upton's  preparations.  The  failure  of  Mott's  di 
vision  more  than  neutralized  the  success  of  Upton.  Had 
Mott  joined  him.  the  two  pressing  forward,  taking  the  en 
emy  right  and  left  in  Hank  and  rear,  and  receiving  further 
re-enforcements  from  I  he  Sixth  Corps  as  they  progressed, 
the  probabilities  were  that  we  should  have  gained  posses 
sion  of  Lee's  entrenchments. 

"Such,  in  its  various  phases  and  diverse  fortunes,  was  the 
battle  of  the  10th  of  .May.  Unquestionably  (Jeneral  Hum 
phreys  is  right,  in  reviewing  the  situation  of  the  morning, 
where  he  says:  'It  is  to  be  regretted  that  Hancock  had  not 
been  directed  to  cross  the  To  at  daylight  of  the  10th,  in 
stead  of  being  ordered  to  cross  late  in  the  afternoon  of  the 
•9th.  Had  he  been,  there  appears  to  be  every  reason  to  con- 
elude  that  the  Confederate  left  would  have  been  turned  and 
taken  in  the  rear,  while  the  Fifth  Corps  attacked  it  in  front. 


314  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [May, 

As  it  Avas,  Hancock  crossing  in  the  evening  of  the  9th  put 
Lee  on  his  guard,  and  enabled  him  to  bring  troops  to  the 
threatened  flank  by  daylight  of  the  1.0th  and  throw  up  en 
trenchments.  It  was  a  mistake,  too.  as  Hancock  had 
crossed,  to  abandon  the  turning  movement  on  the  morning 
of  the  10th,  and  make  instead  of  it,  a  front  attack  on  the 
strong  entrenchments  of  Longstreet's  left.  It  would  have 
been  better  to  have  continued  the  turning  movement,  the 
Fifth  Corps  aiding  by  sending  one  of  its  divisions  to  Han 
cock,  and  making  a  front  attack  with  the  other  two  at  the 
critical  moment/ 

"The  assaults  on  the  enemy-s  entrenchments  in  the  centre 
had  all  been  bloody  and  fruitless.  Assuming  the  with 
drawal  of  Hancock's  corps  across  the  To  to  be  neces 
sary,  the  opportunity  of  the  day  was  in  Ihe  assault 
of  Upton.  Nothing  that  can  be  said  of  that  heroic 
young  officer,  or  of  (Jen.  David  A.  Knssell,  his  division  com 
mander,  could  exaggerate  the  deserts  of  these  two  soldiers, 
the  shining  ornaments  of  the  Sixth  Corps.  Whether  it 
would  not  have  been  possible  for  that  corps  itself  to  furnish 
the  support  needed  to  turn  this  initial  success  into  a  great 
victory,  I  will  not  undertake  to  say.  General  Humphreys 
rightly  says  that  General  Molt  was  a  gallant  officer,  and 
that  Colonel  McAllister  was  a  man  of  coolness  and  courage; 
but  certain  it  is  that  on  the  10th  of  May.  through  whatever 
misunderstandings  or  misadventures,  through  whatever 
fault  of  officers  or  men,  the  Third  Division  failed  to  give  to 
Upton  a  prompt  and  effective  support. 

"But  the  support  of  Upton  should  not  have  been  left  to 
a  single  division.  If  the  position  he  was  ordered  to  attack 
was  practicable,  the  assaulting  columns  should  have  been 
backed  up  by  the  divisions  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  by  Gibbon,  and 
by  divisions  of  the  Fifth  Corps  uselessly  engaged  in  assault 
ing  the  centre.  This  the  more  needs  to  be  said,  because  the 
characteristic  fault  of  the  campaign  then  opening  was  at 
tacking  at  too  many  points.  Few  lines  can  be  drawn  by 


SERGT.  AUGUSTUS   S.  TOWLE. 

Enrolled  as  Private  Battery  A;  promoted  Corporal ;  promoted  Sergeant. 
Mustered  out  June  18,  1864. 


1864.]  UPTON'S    ASSAULT  815 

engineering  skill  which,  owing  to  the  nature  of  the  ground, 
have  not  a  weak  point;  few  will  be  drawn  by  good  engineers 
which  have  move  than  one  weak  point.  It  is  the  office  of 
the  commander  of  the  army  to  discover  that  weak  point;  to 
make  careful  and  serious  preparation  for  the  attack,  and  to 
mass  behind  the  assaulting  column  a  force  that  shall  be  ir 
resistible,  if  only  once  the  line  be  pierced.  It  is  gratifying 
to  record  that  the  splendid  conduct  of  Colonel  Upton  re 
ceived  cordial  recognition,  and  that  he  was  at  once  pro 
moted  to  be  brigadier  general  of  volunteers. 

"The  losses  of  the  Second  Corps  in  killed  and  wounded 
during  the  10th  of  May.  are  given  approximately  by  General 
Humphreys  as  2,050,  or  almost  exactly  those  of  the  Fifth 
and  Sixth  corps  combined.  The  Confederate  losses,  in 
killed  and  wounded,  are  estimated  by  General  Humphreys 
to  have  been  only  one-half  those  of  the  Union  troops.  The 
Confederate  loss  in  prisoners  was  considerable  through  Up 
ton's  captures." 

On  tin1  llth  the  weather  came  out  hot  after  a  heavy 
shower  in  tin4  night.  Our  battery  threw  up  entrenchments 
during  the  previous  night,  and  there  was  considerable  artil 
lery  firing  all  that  day,  with  more  or  less  skirmishing.  Our 
officers,  after  awaking,  had  their  horses  unhitched  and 
taken  back  to  the  rear  in  the  shade,  to  give  them  a  much 
needed  rest.  About  ten  o'clock  p.  M.  we  received  orders  to 
march,  and  when  we  started  our  movements  caused  the  en 
emy  to  open  upon  us  with  their  artillery,  and  their  fire  was 
returned  by  our  batteries.  The  firing  lasted  nearly  an 
hour,  and  the  display  of  missiles  hurtling  through  the  air 
was  striking  and  spectacular,  the  fuses  burning  fiercely  a* 
they  passed  back  and  forth,  and,  together  with  the  constant 
explosions,  must  have  appeared  to  a  looker-on,  out  of  range, 
as  grand  and  impressive. 


:>16  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    II.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [May, 


CHAPTER  XIX 


SPOTTSYLVANIA. 

ON  the  night  of  the  11-th,  about  eleven  o'clock,  we 
started  for  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  which  place 
we  reached  about  daylight  on  the  12th  of  May. 
Here,  at  this  place,  and  in  its  immediate  vicinity,  was  to  be 
fought  one  of  the  most  sanguinary  battles  of  the  Civil  War. 
A  heavy  rain  had  set  in,  and,  together  with  a  dense  fog 
which  prevailed,  made  our  situation  anything  but  pleasant. 
The  fog  was  so  dense  that  morning  that  when  the  order  to 
charge  was  given  (at  3.80  A.  M.)  it  was  impossible  to  exe 
cute  it;  but  a  little  later,  when  another  attempt  Avas  made 
by  our  troops  to  assault  the  enemy's  works,  the  movement 
was  successfully  carried  out.  When  the  charge1  was  made, 
never,  in  all  my  previous  battle  experiences,  had  T  witnessed 
such  a  sight  as  T  then  beheld,  for,  within  twenty  minutes, 
our  troops  had  captured  over  four  thousand  prisoners  (in 
cluding  Maj.-Gen.  Edward  Johnson,  and  Brig. -(Jen.  George 
11.  Stuart),  twenty  cannon,  twenty-three  stands  of  colors/ 
and  over  a  mile  of  breastworks. 

Our  battery  changed  position  three  times  in  this  battle, 
and  when  in  our  second  position,  our  horses  were  used  to 
haul  out  the  guns  captured  from  the  enemy.  My  of!'  horse 
being  worn  out  and  old,  1  traded  him  for  a  captured  horse, 
which  I  found  to  be  a  flue  one.  Our  third  position  ap 
peared  to  me  the  worst  in  which  we  had  ever  been  placed; 
yet  our  loss  was  not  serious.  Our  guns  were  run  up  to  the 
reversed  side  of  the  enemy's  breastworks  inside  of  the  abat- 
lis.  The  caissons  could  not  get  in,  and  we  had  to  change 
limbers  under  a  heavy  tire.  \Ye  were  on  what  was  called 
the  west,  or  bloodv  aniile,  also  called  the  ''salient,"  the  most 


1864.]  SPOTTSYLVANIA  317 

obtrusive  point  of  the  line  of  battle  for  both  artillery  and 
infantry.  After  about  four  hours  of  hard  and  continuous 
work  our  ammunition  gave  out.  and  we  were  relieved  by 
Battery  K,  Fourth  Tniied  States,  who  did  not  appear  to 
get  the  range,  and  were  soon  put  Jtors-dii-comlMit.  the  severe 
fire  of  the  enemy  killing  and  wounding  their  men  and 
horses,  so  that  our  infantry  had  to  pull  their  guns  out  by 
hand.  This  was  another  illustration  of  the  skill  which  our 
gunners  had  acquired  during  their  army  service  in  the 
handling  of  their  guns,  and  I  think  they  proved  themselves 
superior  to  any  gunners  I  had  ever  seen. 

We  subsequently  returned  to  our  first  position  and  re 
mained  there  through  the  night,  as  we  were  not  called  to  go 
into  active  service  again.  After  the  charge  and  when  our 
men  had  gained  such  a  decided  advantage  over  the  enemy, 
capturing  so  many  prisoners  and  trophies,  they  became  in 
tensely  excited  and  our  formations  somewhat  broken  up,  so 
that  the  enemy  who  held  the  third  line  opened  with  a  sharp 
musketry  fire  upon  our  troops  and  continued  it  into  the 
night,  making  charges  and  countercharges  upon  our  forces. 
Tt  is  doubtful  if  ever  during  the  Avar  such  fierce  fighting 
had  been  known.  Hand-to  hand  combats  and  with  clubbed 
muskets  were  of  frequent  occurrence,  and  all  this  with  a 
heavy  rain  falling.  It  was  directly  in  our  front  that  trees 
of  twelve  to  eighteen  inches  in  diameter  were  cut  down  by 
bullets,  the  fighting  was  so  hot  and  steady.  One  of  these 
trees  so  cut  down  is  in  the  War  Department  at  Washing 
ton,  which  was  afterwards  exhibited  at  the  Centennial  Ex 
hibition  in  Philadelphia  in  1876.  Just  as  our  battery  was 
withdrawing,  being  out  of  ammunition,  Wright's  (now 
Wheatoifs)  division  of  the  Sixth  Corps  came  in  to  relieve 
part  of  the  Second  Corps.  The  Second  Rhode  Island  Regi 
ment  was  with  them.  It  was  the  first  time  we  had  been  to 
gether  since  the  first  Bull  Run  battle,  and  when  they  found 
it  was  Battery  A  that  was  retiring  they  entreated  us  to 
stay,  but  as  we  had  no  ammunition  we  were  obliged  to  with- 


318  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [May, 

draw.  The  greatest  opposition  with  which  we  had  to  con 
tend  in  that  position  was  a  rebel  battery  to  our  right  front, 
which  was  handled  well  for  a  time,  bnt  again  our  gunners 
showed  their  skill  and  good  judgment  arid  soon  put  them 
out,  and  there  was  not  much  trouble  afterwards  from  that 
rebel  battery.  Not  long  after  that  the  enemy  put  another 
battery  in  position  against  us,  but  we  soon  silenced  it,  and 
they  were  compelled  to  change  their  line  of  fire  to  prevent 
us  from  hammering  them,  which  our  gunners  appeared  to 
be  doing  so  effectually,  in  order  to  keep  down  their  fire.  We 
could  not  see  their  men  or  guns,  they  being  in  redoubts  and 
under  cover  of  thick  woods.  Their  musketry  fire,  which, 
as  I  have  said,  was  very  heavy,  was  directed  mainly  against 
our  infantry  in  our  front ;  but  it  fell  short,  while  that  which 
was  directed  at  our  battery  went  over,  and,  we  providen 
tially  escaped  unharmed.  It  did  not  seem  possible  that  a 
battery  or  a  company  of  any  kind  could  go  into  such  a  posi 
tion  and  remain  there  as  we  did  for  such  a  length  of  time 
and  come  out  of  action  unscathed.  As  I  have  already  said 
throughout  my  narrative,  Battery  A,  First  Rhode  Island 
Light  Artillery,  appeared  to  be  protected  by  some  unseen 
power.  When  the  reader  takes  into  consideration  that  a 
battery  or  a  company  could  go  into  such  a  place  and  remain 
four  hours  or  more,  long  enough  to  fire  over  a  thousand 
rounds  of  ammunition  and  no  one  injured,  and  where  men 
were  being  killed  and  wounded  all  around  us,  and  the  bat 
tery  taking  our  place  losing  fearfully  in  twenty  minutes  in 
killed  and  wounded  (horses  and  all),  so  that  the  infantry 
had  to  pull  their  guns  out  by  hand,  it  can  hardly  be  called 
less  than  a  miracle  that  any  of  us  escaped  destruction. 
That  our  battery  did  so  great  execution  in  that  position, 
was  proven  by  me  in  the  Fall  of  1898,  when  I  attended  a 
fair  held  at  Richmond,  Va.,  where  they  had  on  exhibition 
(it  seemed  to  me)  about  all  the  war  relics  of  Virginia,  and 
among  which  was  a  shell  placarded,  ''The  Bloody  Angle." 
While  I  was  looking  at  it  I  was  asked  if  I  ever  saw  one  like 


1864.]  SPOTTSYLVANIA  319 

it  before;  and,  in  answer,  replied.  "Oh,  res!"  and  was  con 
fident  it  Avas  fired  from  onr  battery  of  which  I  was  a  mem 
ber.  One  of  the  bystanders  asked  me  this  question : 
"Where  were  yon  located?"  Upon  my  replying  that  we 
were  on  the  west  or  bloody  angle  of  the  "salient,"  he  ex 
claimed :  "That's  the  very  damned  battery!"  And  all  the 
persons  there  present  who  had  participated  in  that  battle 
said  that  onr  battery  had  done  terrible  execution  there. 

Before  closing  my  account  of  this  battle  it  may  be  well 
to  give  the  reader  a  description  of  the  bloody  angle,  as  re 
lated  by  General  Morgan,  the  inspector-general  of  the  Sec 
ond  Corps,  who  says: 

"General  Meade  decided  to  attack  the  enemy  on  the  12th 
near  the  point  where  Mott's  division  had  made  its  ineffect 
ual  assault.  The  Confederate  entrenchments  had  been  ex 
tended  to  meet  the  successive  threats  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  until  they  measured  several  miles,  having  been 
stretched  westward  to  cover  the  Shady  Grove  road  down 
which  Hancock  had  marched  on  the  evening  of  the  9th,  and 
southward  below  Spottsylvania  Court  House.  The  line 
consisted  of  two  faces:  One  (the  Confederate  left)  looking 
mainly  north,  held  by  Long-street's  corps;  the  other  (the 
Confederate  right)  looking  mainly  east,  held  by  Hill's 
<*orps;  but  that,  at  the  point  where  these  faces  would  have 
met,  in  an  angle  at  the  northeast,  the  entrenchments  were1 
Carried  northward  to  enclose  a  space  approximately  a  mile 
in  a  vertical  direction,  and  half  a  mile  in  width,  of  the  gen 
eral  shape  of  an  acorn.  The  'salient,'  or  obtrusive  portion 
of  the  Confederate  line,  the  faces  of  which,  taken  together, 
covered  perhaps  two  and  a  quarter  miles  in  length,  was  oc 
cupied  mainly  by  Ewell's  corps.'7 

Gen.  Francis  Walker  says : 

"It  was  against  this  position  of  the  Confederate  works 
that  General  Meade  designed  to  deliver  the  assault  of  May 
12th.  It  will  be  observed  that  Long-street's  corps  held  the 
left  of  the  Confederate  Hue  extending  from  the  Brock  road 


320  BATTKUY    A,    FIRST    II.    I.    LIGHT    AIITILLRHY       [May,. 

northeast;  then  came  Kodes's  division  of  Ewell's  corps; 
then  Johnson's  division  of  the  same  corps,  Johnson's  four 
brigades,  being,  in  order  from  left  to  right,  as  follows: 
AValker,  York,  Terry,  and  Stuart.  The  line  was  then  taken 
np  by  Hill's  corps,  which  stretched  away  to  the  south. 

"General  Grant's  order  directing  the  assault  at  four 
o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  12th,  and  assigning  three  divi 
sions  of  the  Second  Corps  to  the  work,  bears  date  three 
p.  M.  Gibbon's  division  was  in  a  position  where  it.  could 
not  be  moved  without  attracting  the  enemy's  attention.  Tt 
was,  however,  to  be  brought  up  later.  General  Meade's  or 
der  bears  date  of  four  o'clock. 

"The  oral  instructions  accompanying  them  contemplated 
a  thorough  survey  of  the  ground  by  Colonel  Comstock, 
United  States  Engineers,  of  General  Grant's  staff,  and  by 
officers  of  General  Hancock's  staff.  The  inspector-general 
of  the  corps  and  two  other  officers  were1  accordingly  as 
signed  to  this  duty.  Tt  was  also  assumed  thai  General 
Mott  having  attacked,  with  his  division,  near  the  designated 
spot  on  the  1.0th,  and  being  then  in  position  near  it,  at  the 
Brown  house,  would  be  in  possession  of  valuable  informa 
tion  regarding  the  enemy's  works. 

"General  Morgan  thus  recounts  the  experience  of  the 
staff  on  this  reconnoissance : 

"  "Colonel  Comstock,  of  General  Grant's  staff,  taking  with 
him  three  of  General  Hancock's  staff,  set  out,  in  the  midst 
of  a  pouring  rain,  to  reconnoiter  and  decide  upon  the  exact 
point  of  attack.  Unfortunately  the  colonel  missed  his  way. 
and,  after  riding  many  miles,  the  party  struck  the  Ninth 
Corps.  Colonel  Comstock  took  a  survey  of  the  angle  from 
the  hill  opposite  the  Landron  house,  but  made  no  remark  to 
indicate  that  it:  was  to  be  the  point  of  attack.  Owing  to 
the  time  spent  upon  the  road  it  was  nearly  dark  before  the 
party  arrived  at  the  Brown  house,  the  point  indicated  by 
<  General  Meade. 

"'Here    General    "Mott    was    found,    but    could    tell    little 


1864.]  THE    BLOODY    ANGLE    OK    SALIENT  321 

about  the  ground.  An  attempt  to  drive  in  the  enemy's 
pickets  that  day  for  the  purpose  of  gaining  some  informa 
tion,  had  failed;  and  nothing  remained  but  to  add  to  the  lit 
tle  learned  from  General  Mott  and  the  field  officer  of  the 
day,  by  inspecting  so  much  of  the  ground  held  by  our  pick 
ets.  It  was  only  possible,  before4  dark,  to  select  the  line  for 
the  formation  of  the  corps." 

"General  Morgan  thus  describes  the  incidents  of  the 
march  of  Birney's  and  Barlow's  divisions,  and  the  forma 
tion  of  the  column  of  assault: 

"  'At  ten  p.  M.  the  troops  were  put  in  motion,  Major  Men 
del,  of  the  Engineers,  guiding  the  column.  The  night  was 
pitch  dark,  and  the  road  quite  bad;  but  the  march  to  Mott's 
position  was  made  without  any  incident  of  note.  The 
troops  showed  a  little  nervousness,  perhaps.  At  one  point 
where  the  command  was  closing  up  on  the  head  of  the  col 
umn,  a  runaway  pack-mule,  laden  with  rattling  kettles  and 
pans,  bursting  suddenly  through  the  line,  seemed  to 
threaten  a  general  stampede.  At  another  the  accidental 
discharge  of  a  musket  startled  the  column  into  the  momen 
tary  belief  that  the  corps  had  run  into  the  enemy's  lines. 
Having  arrived  at  the  Brown  house  about  midnight,  the 
column  was  passed  quietly  over  the  entrenchments,  and  as 
near  to  the  picket  line  of  the  enemy  as  possible,  and  the 
formation  of  the  lines  began.  The  ground  was  thickly 
wooded,  with  the  exception  of  a  clearing  some  four  hundred 
yards  wide,  running  to  the  Landron  house,  thence  curving 
to  the  right  toward  the  salient  of  the  enemy's  works.  Bar 
low's  division  was  formed  across  this  clearing  in  two  lines 
of  masses,  each  regiment  being  doubled  on  the  centre. 
Brooke's  and  Miles's  brigades  constituted  the  tirst  line,  and 
Smyth  and  Brown  the  second.  Birney  formed  on  Barlow's 
right,  in  two  deployed  lines.  Mott  formed  in  rear  of  Bir 
ney's  and  Gibbon's  division,  which  had  joined  sooner  than 
was  expected,  was  placed  in  reserve.  It  was  nearly  day 
light  when  these  preparations  were  made.  General  Barlow 

21 


322  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [May, 

made  anxious  inquiries  about  the  nature  of  the  ground  over 
which  he  was  to  move,  and  not  getting  any  satisfactory  in 
formation,  desired  at  length,  to  be  told  whether  there  was 
a  ravine  a  thousand  feet  deep  between  him  and  the  enemy. 
When  he  could  not  be  assured  on  this  point,  he  seemed  to 
think  that  he  was  called  upon  to  lead  a  forlorn  hope,  and 
placed  his  valuables  in  the  hands  of  a  friend/ 

''The  requisite  preparations  had  been  completed  by  the 
time  assigned  for  the  assault;  but,  owing  to  the  heavy  fog 
which  spread  over  the  scene,  it  was  not  sufficiently  light  to 
enable  objects  to  be  clearly  discerned  until  half-past  four, 
when  the  order  to  charge  was  given.  Birney  met  some  diffi 
cult  ground  in  his  advance;  and,  for  a  few  moments,  Bar 
low's  line  steadily  moving  forward  in  the  dead  silence,  was 
ahead;  but  Birney's  men  made  superhuman  exertions,  and, 
pushing  through  the  obstacles,  again  came  up  abreast  of 
the  First  Division.  Near  the  Landron  house  the1  enemy's 
picket  reserves  opened  tire  on  the  left  flank  of  Barlow's  col 
umn,  which  was  swiftly  passing  them,  mortally  wounding 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Strieker,  of  the  Second  Delaware.  As 
soon  as  the  curve  in  the  clearing  allowed  Barlow's  men  to 
see  the  red  earth  at  the  salient,  they  broke  into  a  wild  cheer, 
and,  taking  the  double-quick  without  orders,  rushed  up 
against  the  works.  Tearing  away  the  abattis  witli  their 
hands,  Miles's  and  Brooke's  brigades  sprang  over  the  en 
trenchments,  bayoneting  the  defenders  or  beating  them 
down  with  clubbed  muskets.  Almost  at  the  same  instant 
Birney  entered  the  works  on  his  side,  and  the  salient  was 
won.  .  .  .  Crazed  with  excitement,  Birney's  and  Bar 
low's  men  could  not  be  restrained,  but  followed  the  flying 
enemy  until  their  second  line  of  works,  half  a  mile  in  the 
rear,  was  reached.  Here  the  disorganized  masses  were 
brought  to  a  stand  by  the  resolute  front  presented  by  the 
Confederate  reserves,  true  to  those  traditions  which  made 
the  .men  of  that  army  even  more  dangerous  in  defeat  than 
in  victor v. 


1864.]  THE    BLOODY    ANGLE    OR    SALIENT  323 

"Thus  far  the  attack  had  been  a  magnificent  success,  even 
though  Burnside  attacking  upon  his  side,  had,  after  lodging 
the  head  of  the  column  of  Potter's  division  inside  the  en 
emy's  works,  been  driven  out  with  loss.  But  now  the  mo 
ment  of  failure  of  connection,  of  delay  of  bringing  up  re 
serves,  of  misunderstanding  and  misadventure,  inevitable 
in  large  military  operations  in  such  a  country,  had  come. 
Everything  Hancock  arid  his  subordinate  commanders  could 
do  to  prepare  for  a  new  advance  was  done;  the  reserve  divi 
sions  were  ordered  to  man  the  captured  works ;  and  the 
leading  brigades,  broken  by  the  force  of  the  assault,  were 
got  together  as  well  as  possible  under  the  furious  fire  now 
poured  in  from  the  second  Confederate  line.  The  Sixth 
Corps  coming  up  took  post  on  right  of  the  Second,  occupy 
ing  the  line  from  the  west  angle  southward.  Mott  joined 
the  Sixth  at  that  angle;  Birney  came  next  on  the  left;  then 
(ribbon;  then  Barlow.  All  these  at  once  set  to  work  to 
'turn'  the  captured  entrenchments,  for  use  against  those 
who  had  constructed  them.  There  was  not  a  moment  to 
spare,  for,  into  that  bloody  space,  were  now  advancing 
thousands  of  stout  soldiers,  desperately  determined  to  re 
trieve  the  fortunes  of  the  day  that  had  set  so  strongly 
against  the  Confederacy,  and  even  promised  to  result  in  the 
disruption  and  destruction  of  Lee's  army.  On  the  Union 
side  the  confusion  had  become  extreme;  the  long  lines 
formed  for  the  assault  had  insensibly  converged  as  the  sa 
lient  was  reached,  and  were  heaped  one  upon  another. 
Carroll's  and  Owen's  brigades  of  (ribbon's  division  which 
was  formed  in  reserve,  had  been  caught  by  the  wild  excite 
ment  of  the  charge,  and,  dashing  to  the  front,  struggled 
even  past  some  of  the  leading  troops,  and  entered  the  Con 
federate  works  on  Stuart's  line  almost  at  the  same  moment 
with  the  brigades  of  Miles  and  Brooke.  McAllister's  brig 
ade  of  Mott's  division  also  pushed  forward  from  the  second 
line  and  threw  itself  over  the  enemy's  works  almost  simul 
taneously  with  Birnevs  division  of  the  first  line.  This  en- 


324  HATTER Y    A,    FIRST    R.    1.     LKiHT    ARTILLERY       [May, 

thusiasm  of  tin*  charging  cohiiun  was  in  itself  very  com 
mendable;  but,  taken  in  connection  with  the  originally 
dense  formation,  it  had  led  to  an  unnecessary  and  danger 
ous  massing  of  the  troops.  Such  a  body  was  for  the  pur 
pose  of  the  impending  collision,  scarcely  so  formidable  as 
would  have  been  a  single  well-ordered  line. 

"'On  the  Confederate  side  Gordon's  division  was,  at  the 
time  the  storm  burst,  theoretically  in  reserve;  but  he  had. 
in  fact,  sent  one  of  his  brigades  (Pegram's)  into  the 
trenches  near  -Johnson's  left;  of  the  other  two,  Evans's  was 
in  front  of  the  McCool  house;  Johnson's  near  Harrison's 
house.  On  hearing  the  firing  at  the  east  angle  of  the  sa 
lient,  he  had  sent  forward  Johnson,  who,  encountering  Bar 
low's  right  and  Birney's  left,  as  they  were  pressing  forward 
from  the  entrenchments,  was  broken  and  driven  back,  John 
son  being  wounded.  Withdrawing  Pegram's  and  Evans's 
brigades  at  the  double-quick,  Gordon  formed  them  near 
Harrison's  house  and  advanced  them  with  great  vigor 
against  the  left  of  Hancock's  column,  driving  the  disordered 
assailants  some  distance  back  toward  the  east  angle,  and 
momentarily  recovering  some  of  the  lost  guns.  At  the  same 
time  General  Kodes  sent  the  brigade's  of  Daniel  and  Kam- 
seur  against  the  troops  of  Birney  and  Molt,  which  were 
moving  tumultuously  down  the  west  face  of  the  salient. 
Daniel  was  killed  and  Kamseur  severely  wounded;  but  soon, 
re-enforced  by  I'errin's  and  Harris's  brigades,  from  Mahone, 
and  still  later  by  McGowan's  brigade  from  Wilcox,  the  Con 
federates  regained  some  part  of  the  captured  entrench 
ments. 

"In  these  successive  encounters  all  the  troops  which  had 
crossed  over  the  breastworks  into  the  spare  enclosed  by  the 
salient  had  been  driven  out,  and  the  Second  Corps  now  held 
only  their  own,  that  is,  the  outer  side  of  the  entrenchments 
they  had  raptured  in  the  assault.  It  was  about  this  time 
that  General  Wright  arrived  with  Wheaton's  and  Russell's 
divisions  of  the  Sixth  Corps,  and  took  post  on  Hancock's 


CORP.  JAMES  B.  BUFFUM. 
Discharged  on  account  of  being  injured  at  Fredericksburg,  Va. 


1864.]  THE    BLOODY    ANGLE    OIJ    SALIENT  325 

right,  that  is  on  the  west  face  of  the  salient.  The  conflict 
had  now  become  the  closest  and  fiercest  of  the  war.  The 
Confederates  were  determined  to  recover  their  entrench 
ments  at  whatever  cost.  For  the  distance  of  nearly  a  mile, 
amid  a  cold,  drenching  rain,  the  combatants  were  literally 
struggling  across  the  breastworks.  They  fired  directly  into 
each  other's  faces,  bayonet  thrusts  Avere  given  over  the  en 
trenchments  ;  men  even  grappled  their  antagonists  across 
the  piles  of  logs  and  pulled  them  over,  to  be  stabbed  or  car 
ried  to  the  rear  as  prisoners.  General  Hancock  had,  as 
soon  as  the  first  success  Avas  achieved,  brought  np  some  of 
his  guns  to  within  three  hundred  yards  of  the  captured 
works,  and  these  were  now  pouring  solid  shot  and  shell  over 
the  heads  of  our  troops  into  the  space  covered  with  the  Con 
federate  brigades ;  he  even  ran  Arnold's  Rhode  Island  and 
one  section  of  Brown's  Rhode  Island  and  a  section  of  Gil- 
lis's  Fifth  United  States  batteries  up  to  the  breastworks; 
and,  though  the  muzzles  protruded  into  the  very  faces  of 
the  charging  Confederates,  the  begrimed  cannoneers  for  a 
time  continued  to  pour  canister  into  the  woods  and  over  the 
open  ground  on  the  Avest  of  the  McCool  house.  The  con 
test  had  settled  down  to  a  struggle  for  the  recovery  of  the 
apex  of  the  salient  between  the  east  and  west  angles.  No 
effort  Avas  made  by  the  enemy  to  'counter'  upon  Hancock, 
by  emerging  from  their  works  on  either  side. 

"If  any  comparison  can  be  made  between  the  sections  in 
volved  in  that  desperate  contest,  the  fiercest  and  deadliest 
fighting  took  place  at  the  Avest  angle,  ever  afterwards 
knoAvn  as  'The  Bloody  Angle.'  Here  Wright's  Sixth  Corps 
had  taken  post  on  coming  up  at  six  o'clock.  So  furious 
Avere  the  enemy's  charges  at  this  point  that  Wright,  AA7ith 
his  tAvo  fresh  divisions,  was  fain  soon  to  call  for  re-enforce 
ments;  and  Brooke's  brigade,  which  had  been  in  the  front 
line  of  the  great  charge,  Avas  sent  over.  Nine  o'clock  came 
—ten  and  eleven — and  yet  the  fighting  did  not  die  down. 
At  the  latter  hour  General  Hancock  received  the  following 


326  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.     I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [May, 

dispatch  from  Meade  to  Grant,  sent  him  for  his  informa 
tion:  'Warren  seems  reluctant  to  assault.  I  have  ordered 
him  at  all  hazards  to  do  so,  and  if  his  attack  should  be  re 
pulsed  to  draw  in  his  right  and  send  his  troops  as  fast  as 
possible  to  Hancock  and  Wright.  Tell  Hancock  to  hold 
on.'  And  Hancock  held  on,  with  his  men  four  ranks  deep, 
keeping  their  furious  assailants  at  bay  across  the  captured 
entrenchments.  Wan-en's  attack  failed  with  heavy  loss,  as 
that  judicious  officer  had  anticipated;  and,  in  the  after 
noon,  Cutler's  division  of  the  Fifth  Corps  marched  upon 
the  field  at  the  Landron  house,  where  the  contest  was  still 
raging  with  unabated  fury  along  the  salient.  All  day  the 
bloody  work  went  on,  and  still  the  men  of  the  North  and  of 
the  South,  now  wrought  to  an  inexpressible  rage,  were  not 
gorged  with  slaughter.  The  trenches  had  more  than  once 
to  be  cleared  of  the  dead,  to  give  the  living  a  place  to  stand. 
All  day  long,  and  even  into  the  night  the  batlle  lasted,  for 
it  was  not  till  twelve1  o'clock,  nearly  twenty  hours  after  the 
command  'Forward'  had  been  given  to  the  column  at  the 
Brown  house,  that  the  tiring  died  down,  and  the  Confed 
erates,  relinquishing  their  purpose  to  retake  the  captured 
works,  began  in  the  darkness  to  reconstruct  a  new  line  to 
cut  off  the  salient. 

''So  ended  this  bloody  day.  and  those  that  slept  after  its 
tremendous  labors  and  its  tierce  excitements,  had  in  them, 
for  the  time,  hardly  more  of  life  than  the  corpses  that  lay 
around  on  every  side.  The  chilling  rain  still  fell  upon  that 
ghastly  field;  fell  alike  on  the  living  and  the  dead,  on  friend 
and  foeman ;  on  those  who  might  wake  to  battle  in  the 
morning,  and  on  those  who  should  never  wake  again.  It  is 
not  possible  accurately  to  distinguish  between  the  12th  of 
May  and  the  days  preceding  and  following.  .  .  . 

''Surgeon  Mcl'arlin,  in  charge  of  the  hospital  service  of 
the  Army  of  the  1'otomac,  reported  the  wounded  of  the  sev 
eral  corps  on  the  12th  as  follows:  The  Second  Corps, 
2,043;  the  Fifth,  <)70 ;  the  Sixth,  840;  total,  3,853. 


1864.]  THE    BLOODY    ANGLE    OK    SALIENT  327 

"Making  allowance  for  the  killed,  General  Humphreys 
estimates  the  total  killed  and  wounded  at  4,733;  the  miss 
ing  as  not  in  excess  of  500.  Burnside's  Corps,  the  Ninth, 
which  was  not  at  this  date  counted  as  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  is  supposed  to  have  lost  about  1,250  killed  or 
wounded,  and  300  prisoners  captured  in  two  counter-charges 
made  by  the  enemy,  making  Grant's  total  loss,  approxi 
mately,  (>,800. 

"General  Humphreys  estimates  General  Lee's  losses  in 
killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners,  as  between  nine  and  ten 
thousand  men,  making  a  hideous  gap  in  his  army.  The 
losses  of  general  officers  on  that  side  had  been  excessive,  ow 
ing  to  the  ferocity  of  the  contest  around  the  salient.  Gen 
erals  Daniels  and  Pen-in  had  been  killed;  Generals  Walker, 
Kamseur,  Johnston,  and  McGowan  wounded,  all  severely; 
and  Generals  Johnson  and  Stuart  captured. 

"On  our  side  the  loss  in  general  officers  had  not  been 
heavy,  though  rarely  were  commanders  so  continuously  ex 
posed.  General  Wright,  commanding  the  Sixth  Corps,  was 
struck  by  a  piece  of  shell  which  threw  him  backward  several 
feet,  but,  though  greatly  shaken,  insisted  on  remaining  at 
the  front  to  the  close.  Gen.  Alexander  S.  Webb,  while 
leading  his  brigade  into  action,  received  a  ghastly  wound  in 
the  head  which  long  disabled  him.  Col.  .John  Coons,  Four 
teenth  Indiana,  and  Lieut.-Col.  Waldo  Morrison,  of  the  Six 
teenth  Massachusetts,  were  killed.  Lieut.-Col.  David  L. 
Strieker  was  killed  by  the  Confederate4  picket  reserves  at 
the  Landron  house." 

Colonels  Miles,  Brooke,  and  Carroll  were1  promoted  to  be 
brigadier  generals  of  volunteers,  for  acts  of  bravery  during 
this  and  other  battles. 

On  Friday.  May  1.3th,  skirmishing  continued  all  day  long. 
It  was  found  that  morning  that  the  enemy  had  abandoned 
the  salient  and  built  new  lines  of  works  entirely  cutting  off 
their  former  position.  Owen's  brigade  was  ordered  to  ad 
vance  and  find  where  the  enemv  were,  but  General  Owen  be- 


828  I5ATTKI5Y    A,    FIRST    I!.     I.     LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [May, 

ing  under  arrest  General  Carroll  was  sent  in  his  place. 
Carroll  was  already  wounded  and  on  his  way  to  the  hos 
pital  Avhen  he  received  the  order,  and,  without  an  instant's 
hesitation,  turned  backward  and  led  his  new  brigade  into 
action.  While  on  the  advancing  line  he  was  shot  by  a  rebel 
who  took  deliberate  aim,  and  long  enough  for  Carroll  to 
wonder  where  the  bullet  would  hit  him.  It  took  effect  in 
his  arm,  shattering  his  elbow.  This  was  another  severe  loss 
for  the  Second  Corps,  as  Carroll  had  the  reputation  of  being 
a  great  fighter  and  had  recently  been  made  a  brigadier  gen 
eral. 

General  Miles  had  a  sharp  skirmish  with  the  enemy  and 
succeeded  in  capturing  two  guns  which  had  been  left  be 
tween  the  lines  during  the  fighting  of  the  day  before.  The 
Fifth  and  Sixth  corps  started  on  the  march  that  night, 
which  proved  to  be  extremely  disagreeable,  as  the  rain  came 
down  in  torrents,  and  the  roads  were  almost  impassable. 

On  the  14th  the  weather  was  foggy  all  day,  and  our  bat 
tery  remained  quiet.  There  was  considerable  skirmishing 
going  on,  and  heavy  cannonading  was  heard  in  the  direction 
the  Fifth  and  Sixth  corps  had  taken.  The  fourth  detach 
ment  received  a  new  gun  that  day  in  place  of  the  one  lost 
at  Po  River;  it  was  one  of  those  captured  on  the  12th. 
There  was  a  battery  of  mortars  at  work  shelling  the  enemy's 
position.  It  was  a  source  of  encouragement  for  us  to  know 
that  we  at  last  had  found  a  general  and  a  fighter  combined, 
and  one  who  did  not  retreat  after  winning  a  battle.  We 
expected  to  fight  with  such  a  man  in  command,  as  it  was  an 
established  fact  that  he  did  not  intend  to  retire  under  any 
circumstances. 

A  flank  movement  was  made  by  the  Fifth  and  Sixth  corps 
OH  the  night  of  the  13th  on  Lee's  right  flank,  as  it  was  sup- 
p<  sed  that  the  fighting  on  the  12th  had  drawn  troops  away 
from  the  Fredericksburg  road.  The  route  of  the  Fifth  and 
Sixth  corps  led  mainly  ''across  country,''  through  fields  and 
woods,  crossing  and  recrossing  the  Ny  River.  The  attack 


18(54.]  WILDERNESS  329 

was  to  be  made  on  the  Massaponax  road.  The  darkness  of 
the  night,  the  rain  and  mist,  and  wretched  condition  of  the 
ground  caused  so  much  delay  and  confusion  that  neither  of 
tlie  corps  got  into  position  in  time  for  the  contemplated  as 
sault  on  the  morning-  of  the  14th.  A  reconnoissance  out  on 
the  Massaponax  Church  road  by  Confederate  cavalry  in  the 
afternoon,  revealed  the  presence  of  the  two  corps,  which 
caused  Lee  to  dispatch  troops  to  meet  the  threatened  attack. 
"Fortune,"  says  General  Humphreys,  ''evidently  did  not 
favor  us  on  the  night  of  the  13th,  for  the  entrenchments  on 
the  Confederate  right  did  not  extend  much  south  of  the 
courthouse,  and  only  Hill's  corps  was  on  that  front.  With 
ordinary  weather  the  two  corps  would  have  been  able  to  at 
tack  early  in  the  morning  before  re-enforcements  could  have 
been  brought  up  from  the  Confederate  left." 

The  movement  of  the  Fifth  and  Sixth  corps  1<>  the  left 
necessitated  fresh  dispositions  on  the  right;  and.  in  the 
early  morning  of  the  loth  (Sunday),  the  weather  still  rainy 
and  misty,  we  received  orders  to  march,  and.  at  l.-'JO  A.  AL. 
proceeded  about  three  miles  to  the  Spottsylvania  and  Fred- 
ericksburg  road,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Xy  River,  with  liar- 
low's  and  Gibbon's  divisions  in  support,  leaving  Birney's 
•division  to  cover  the  right  flank  of  the  Xintli  Corps,  Avhich 
remained  in  its  position  of  the  l~tli.  The  picket  line  was 
left  to  be  withdrawn  by  Birney  when  night  should  come. 
During  the  day  the  enemy  opened  with  artillery  on  1'irney 
and  administered  a  vigorous  shelling  to  his  division. 

On  the  16th  the  weather  continued  rainy,  but  our  battery 
•did  not  move.  Our  Second  Division  under  General  Gibbon 
was  sent  to  remove  the  wounded  of  the  Second  and  Sixth 
rorps  to  Fredericksburg.  which  they  accomplished  by  ten 
r.  M.  It  was  very  quiet  along  our  front.  An  order  was 
read  to  us  in  line  that  day  stating  that  twenty-three  thou 
sand  men  were  on  their  way  to  re-enforce  the  army.  Al 
ready  the  division  of  Gen.  Robert  O.  Tyler,  consisting  of 
heavy  artillery  from  the  defences  around  Washington,  and 


830  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [May,, 

the  Corcoran  (Irish)  Legion  was  assigned  to  the  Second 
Corps.  They  comprised  the  First  Massachusetts,  Col. 
Thomas  R.  Tanatt;  the  First  Maine,  Col.  Daniel  Chaplin. 
The  remainder  of  the  division  consisted  of  New  York  regi 
ments  as  follows:  The  Second,  Col.  J.  X.  (}.  Whistler; 
Seventh,  Col.  Lewis  O.  Morris;  and  Eighth,  Col.  Peter  A. 
Porter.  The  Corcoran  Legion  comprised  the  following  in 
fantry  regiments  from  New  York :  The  One  Hundred  and 
Fifty-fifth,  Lient.-Col.  Hugh  C.  Flood;  the  One  Hundred 
and  Sixty  fourth,  Col.  James  P.  McMahon ;  the  One  Hun 
dred' and  Seventieth,  Col.  James  P.  Melvor;  and  the  Sixty- 
ninth  New  York  State  Militia.  Col.  Matthew  Murphy.  The 
last  named  regiment,  subsequently  known  as  the  One  Hun 
dred  and  Eighty  second  Xew  York  Volunteers,  should  be 
distinguished  from  the  Sixty-ninth  New  York,  which  had 
served  in  the  Second  Corps  from  its  organization.  These 
re-enforcements  comprised  about  eight  thousand  men, 
enough  to  make  good  numerically  the  losses  of  the  corps 
thus  far  in  the  campaign. 

Walker's  History  says :  "The  material  of  the  new  com 
ing  regiments,  and  particularly  of  the  heavy  artillery,  could 
not  have  been  surpassed.  During  the  years  of  greatest  dis 
couragement  at  the  North,  these  regiments  destined,  as  it 
was  supposed,  for  garrison  duty,  had  'the  pick'  of  all  the 
volunteers;  and  finer  bodies  of  men,  in  line  of  battle,  it 
would  be  difficult  to  find. 

"Yet  all  this  could  not  make  good  the  losses  which  the 
corps  had  sustained  in  the  first  fortnight  of  the  campaign. 
Those  who  had  fallen  were  men  inured  to  cam])  life,  to  hard 
ship,  exposure,  and  fatigue;  in  bivouac  they  knew  how  to 
make  themselves  almost  comfortable  with  the  narrowest 
means;  how  to  cover  themselves  in  rain  and  storm;  how  to 
make  fires  out  of  green  wood;  find  water  in  dry  ground, 
and  cook  their  rations  to  best  advantage.  On  the  march 
they  had  learned  to  cover  the  greatest  distance  with  the 
least  wear  and  tear;  on  picket  and  in  skirmish  they  had 


1864.]  WILDERNESS  331 

learned  a  score  of  tricks  by  which  they  at  once1  protected 
themselves  and  became  more1  formidable  to  the  enemy.  Tn 
battle,  officers  and  men  had  become  veterans  through  a 
score  of  tierce  encounters ;  no  form  of  danger  could  be  a  sur 
prise  t'o  them.  With  a  high  price  bought  they  this  knowl 
edge.  Thousands  had  died  that  these  regiments  might  know 
how  to  advance  and  how  to  retire,  as  occasion  should  de 
mand;  how  to  cover  themselves  most  completely  through 
long  hours  of  waiting,  and  how  to  throw  themselves,  body 
and  soul,  into  one  tremendous  blow,  on  the  vital  spot,  at  the 
critical  instant.  Of  the  troops  named,  the  Corcoran  Legion 
was  assigned  to  Gibbon's  division.  The  heavy  artillery  re 
mained,  for  the  time,  unattached." 

This,  without  doubt,  was  the  finest  re-enforcement  the 
army  ever  received.  It  seemed  apparent  to  even  the  dullest 
mind  that  General  Grant  intended  to  use  his  utmost  en 
deavors  to  (rush  the  rebellion  as  speedily  as  possible.  He 
had  not  taken  any  retrograde  movement  as  yet,  and  all  the 
manoeuvres  and  attempts  at  flank  movements  by  General 
Lee,  such  as  he  had  been  in  the  habit  of  practicing  with  our 
former  commanders  and  forcing  them  to  retire1,  had,  so  far. 
signally  failed.  Lee  had  found  in  General  Grant  no  mean 
antagonist. 

On  the  1.7th  the  weather  was  twite  pleasant  and  a  decided 
change  from  that  we  had  recently  experienced.  All  bat 
teries  had  been  reduced  to  four  guns  each.  The  men  in  our 
battery  were1  busily  engaged  in  repairing  the  equipments 
and  casting  aside  the  worthless  and  worn  out  ones. 
Twenty-four  horses  with  two  guns  were  taken  to  Belle  Plain 
Landing  and  turned  in.  I  was  one  of  the  detail  to  go  with 
them,  and,  in  the  absence  of  any  officer  of  our  battery.  I 
had  charge  of  the  men  in  our  section.  During  our  absence 
that  day,  about  four  o'clock,  our  battery  changed  cam]), 
and,  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening,  received  quick  orders  and 
marched  away  to  the  right  of  the  line. 

On  the  18th  the  weather  was  delightful,  and  we  proceeded 


i  O  ,7 


BATTERY    A,    FIRST    II.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [May, 


to  the  vicinity  of  our  old  position  of  the  12th,  near  the 
Landron  house,  and  were  held  in  reserve.  The  Secon'd 
Corps  with  the  Corcoran  Legion,  was  to  charge  over  the 
same  ground  as  on  the  12th,  our  corps  starting  from  the 
position  gained  at  that  time.  We  moved  forward  at  day 
light  and  found  the  enemy.  During  the  night  the  divisions 
of  Barlow  and  Gibbon  moved  to  the  vicinity  of  the  Landron 
house,  Biruey  being  already  in  position,  while  the  heavy  ar 
tillery  was  formed  between  the  Brown  and  Landron  houses. 
The  enemy  was  strongly  posted  in  rifle  pits,  their  front  com 
pletely  covered  by  heavy  slashing,  and  a  powerful  artillery 
rire  was  opened  promptly  upon  the  column.  The  assaulting 
brigades  could  not  penetrate  the  dense  slashing  in  the  face 
of  the  musketry  and  artillery  fire  they  encountered,  al 
though  very  gallant  efforts  were  made,  and  our  troops  dis 
played  great  steadiness  in  action.  The  Corcoran  Legion 
showed  itself  worthy  of  the  corps  to  which  it  had  been  as 
signed.  One  of  Gibbon's  brigades  gained  possession  of  an 
advanced  line  of  rifle-pits,  but  was  unable  to  hold  it.  The 
enemy's  works  were  found  to  be  as  strong  again  as  on  the 
12th,  and  the  attack  was  abandoned.  Our  battery  was  in  a 
good  position  to  see  the  fighting,  but  Avas  not  engaged. 
Capt.  T.  Fred  Brown,  with  Battery  B,  was  sent  near  the  en 
trenchments,  and  their  short  range  guns  were  engaged  for 
a  short  time.  Generals  Grant  and  Meade  came  to  our  posi 
tion  and  observed  the  fighting.  Soon  afterward  General 
Hancock  joined  them  and  then,  after  a  short  consultation, 
rode  back  and  ordered  the  troops  to  be  withdrawn.  We 
were  then  ordered  back  to  camp  where  we  had  left  the  con 
demned  guns. 

As  soon  as  we  had  taken  care  of  our  horses,  the  men  who 
were  to  go  to  the  Landing  with  the  condemned  horses  and 
guns  were  called  into  line  and  given  instructions;  then 
drew  three  days'  rations,  and  were  soon  on  the  way  to  the 
Landing,  arriving  there  late  in  the  afternoon.  The  change 
from  the  front  to  this  scene  of  activity  and  bustle  was  very 


1864.]  WILDERNESS  833 

noticeable1.  This  immense  massing  of  supplies  for  an  army 
was  something  of  which  I  had  never  before  been  cognizant, 
although  I  had  been  to  supply  stations  many  times  before; 
but  here  were  steamships  and  crafts  of  all  kinds  unloading 
everything  appertaining  to  the  subsistence  of  our  troops, 
while  trains  were  being  unloaded  or  waiting  to  be  unloaded 
to  convey  those  supplies  to  the  troops  in  the  field.  There 
were  new  troops  by  thousands,  the  regiments  large  enough 
to  overlap  the  flank  of  any  brigade  in  our  corps.  The  knap 
sacks  of  the  men  were  packed  to  overflowing,  and  proved  a 
burden  to  those  who  carried  them,  after  they  had  started 
on  their  march  to  the  front.  After  turning  in  the  horses 
and  guns  we  began  to  look  for  a  place  to  camp  down  for  the 
night,  and  I  had  the  good  fortune  to  find  a  convenient  rest 
ing-place.  To  me  there  was  great  excitement  going  on  all 
that  night.  Details  of  men  were  kept  busy  night  and  day, 
loading  and  unloading,  and  the  scene  was  so  attractive  to 
me  that  I  kept  moving  around  nearly  all  night,  watching  it. 
The  new  troops,  as  soon  as  they  had  landed,  started  on  the 
road  for  the  front.  They  were  a  fine  looking  lot  of  men. 
and  under  good  discipline.  When  we  started  to  return  to 
the  army  we  found  clothing  strewn  all  along  the  roadside 
where  the  new  troops  had  thrown  it  away,  and,  before  the 
camps  were  reached,  many  of  these  men  had  cast  aside  most 
of  their  new  clothing,  and  some  even  had  thrown  away  their 
knapsacks,  and  were  inarching  like  seasoned  troops  with 
only  a  blanket  and  haversack. 

On  the  morning  of  the  19th  we  started  for  the  front  about 
seven  o'clock.  It  was  clear  and  hot;  there  were  two  com 
missioned  officers,  two  sergeants,  and  about  seventy  men  of 
our  artillery  brigade,  the  latter  named  being  drivers.  It 
seemed  strange  to  start  off  on  foot,  but  we  got  on  nicely 
and  arrived  at  our  camp  a  little  after  dark,  and  found  the 
battery  had  changed  camp  and  gone  into  some  large  woods 
near  army  headquarters.  All  of  the  party  who  had  been  to 
the  Landing  had  new  suits  which  had  been  picked  up  along 


334  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [May, 

the  route  that  the  new  troops  had  thrown  away.  About 
half-past  five  o'clock  the  enemy  made  a  dash  on  the  FreA- 
ericksburg  road,  where  the  artillery  brigades  and  our  new 
troops  were  posted ;  and,  for  a  while,  there  was  considerable 
excitement.  Our  battery  was  hitched  up  and  went  about 
two  miles  on  that  road,  but  did  not  go  into  action,  as  it  was 
about  over  when  we  arrived.  It  was  reported  that  the  en 
emy  had  broken  through  the  lines  occupied  by  the  new 
troops  and  were  near  General  Grant's  headquarters  at  one 
time,  but  the  report  proved  to  be  untrue,  as  our  artillery 
had  succeeded  in  repulsing  the  enemy  and  inflicting  upon 
them  serious  loss.  In  the  afternoon,  about  two  o'clock,  or 
ders  were  received  at  headquarters  for  our  corps  to  move  at 
two  A.  M.  to  Bowling  Green  and  Milford  Station,  via 
Guinea  Station,  but  the  fight  on  the  Fredericksburg  road 
caused  that  order  to  be  countermanded.  It  is  said  that 
when  this  order  was  received  General  Morgan  remarked, 
"There  is  an  old  adage  that  it  is  the  willing  horse  that  is 
worked  to  death,"  and  he  broke  out  into  a  somewhat  indig 
nant  recital  of  the  marches  and  battles  of  the  Second  Corps 
from  the  3d  to  the  18th  of  May,  closing  with,  ''and  now,  on 
the  third  consecutive  night,  it  was  proposed  to  send  it  on  a 
flank  inarch  over  twenty  miles,  to  'attack  vigorously  in  the 
morning.'  ': 

Providence  and  the  Confederates  interfered  to  prevent  the 
movement  across  the  Mattapony,  which  had  been  ordered. 
As  I  have  already  said,  Ewell  sought  to  steal  around 
Meade's  right,  chiefly  to  ascertain  whether  we  were  moving 
or  not;  and,  secondly,  to  do  as  much  mischief  as  possible. 
He  made  a  Avide  detour  around  the  right  of  our  army,  then, 
turning,  bore  down  about  5.30  o'clock  p.  M.  upon  the  Fred 
ericksburg  road,  which  was,  at  this  time,  our  line  of  supply, 
expecting  to  find,  so  far  to  the  rear,  a  small  force  or  none; 
but,  as  it  proved,  Kitching's  brigade  and  Tyler's  division  of 
heavy  artillery  were  there  ready  to  receive  him,  while 
Kitching  was  promptly  re-enforced  by  the  Maryland  brigade 


1864.]  WILDERNESS  335 

of  infantry  from  the  Fifth  Corps.  Hancock  soon  had  Bir- 
*ney's  division  coming  forward  on  the  double-quick.  The 
'•Heavies"  Avere  found  fiercely  engaged  in  their  first  battle 
against  some  of  the  most  redoubtable  troops  of  the  Con 
federate  army.  Hancock,  taking  charge  of  the  line,  threw 
in  two  brigades  of  Birney's  division,  but  the  stress  of  the 
battle  was  over.  E well's  leading  troops  recoiling  broken 
from  the  encounter,  he  threw  in  his  reserves,  but  the  whole 
line  being  hard  pressed  in  front  and  on  the  left  flank,  gave 
way  and  retreated  across  the  Xy  River.  E  well's  loss  was 
conceded  to  be  nine  hundred.  This  was  intended  to  be  an 
other  Chancel  lorsvi  lie  surprise,  but  Grant,  not  Hooker,  was 
now  in  command,  and,  aided  by  that  sterling  soldier,  Han 
cock,  beat  back  the  cohorts  of  the  enemy.  The  "Heavies" 
did  noble  work  in  such  a  sudden  attack,  and  exhibited  no 
signs  of  panic.  They  took  about  four  hundred  prisoners. 
The  losses  of  the  day  in  the  entire  army  had  been  about  thir 
teen  hundred,  "'chiefly."  says  Humphreys,  "in  the  Second 
Corps,'"  that  is.  in  Birney's  division  and  Tyler's  Heavy  Ar 
tillery.  The  entire  losses  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  and 
Burnside's  corps  during  the  several  actions  around  Spott- 
sylvania  Court  House,  from  May  8th  to  1.9th.  inclusive,  are 
estimated  by  General  Humphreys  as  follows:  Killed,  2,447; 
wounded,  10,821;  killed  and  wounded,  18,2(58;  missing, 
1.411;  total  losses,  1.4, 079.  The  losses  of  the  Second  Corps 
had  been  as  follows:  Killed,  884 ;  wounded,  8,958;  missing, 
<5(>5;  total,  5,457.  It  will  be  observed  that  of  the  killed  S.(i 
per  cent,  were  commissioned  officers;  of  the  wounded  but 
5.2  per  cent. ;  of  the  missing  less  than  8  per  cent. 

After  all  the  excitement  was  over  attending  the  result  of 
Ewell's  attack  upon  our  lines  and  his  subsequent  with 
drawal,  our  battery  went  back  to  the  camp  where  the  bat 
tery-wagon  and  forge  had  been  left,  and  where  we  found 
Them  on  our  arrival  from  the  Landing.  The  horses  were 
not  unhitched,  and,  on  being  assigned  to  my  old  team,  after 
getting  a  bite  to  eat.  being  very  weary  and  exhausted  from 
my  long  tramp,  lay  down  beside  the  gun  and  fell  asleep. 


336  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    J.     LHJHT    ARTILLERY       [May,. 

The  weather  on  tlie  20th  was  clear  and  warm.  While  go 
ing  to  water  tlie  horses,  under  Lieutenant  Hunt,  we  passecr 
(]nite  near  General  Grant's  headquarters.  Tlie  general  was 
smoking  when  we  passed,  and,  on  our  return,  came  out  and 
motioned  .Lieutenant  Hunt  to  stop,  which  he  did.  We  came 
to  a  front  face,  and  the  general  walked  around  the  line  look 
ing  carefully  at  every  horse.  When  he  arrived  at  the  left 
of  the  line  he  stopped,  and,  after  looking  my  horses  over, 
asked  how  it  was  that  they  were  in  so  much  better  condi 
tion  than  the  others.  1  replied  that  they  were  good  horses 
and  kept  fat,  but  Lieutenant  Hunt  saluted  him  and  said  : 
"lie  gets  punished  more  than  any  other  man  in  the  battery 
for  stealing  grain  for  them!"  At  this  General  Grant 
smiled  and  nodded  his  head  to  me.  which  I  took  as  a  sign  of 
approval,  and  I  saluted  him.  He  said  it  was  the  finest  look 
ing  lot  of  horses  he  had  seen  in  the  army.  The  boys  thought 
1  had  received  rather  a  rough  introduction  to  the  general ; 
but  on  the  contrary  I  was  pleased  with  it,  and  1  think  the 
general  was.  It  only  confirmed  me  in  the  opinion  that  he 
was  a  good  judge  of  horses  as  well  as  a  good  general.  My 
horses  always  did  look  well  and  I  was  proud  of  them  ;  they 
were1  bright  bays  with  bobtails.  They  went  from  1'rovi 
deuce  with  the  first  three  months'  battery,  and  were  for 
merly  owned  by  Charles  Hall,  a  resident  of  that  city.  They 
were  of  high  mettle  and  well  broken,  round  built,  about  six 
teen  hands  high,  and  would  weigli  nearly  twelve  hundred 
pounds.  I  took  great  pride  in  them  and  they  always  re 
ceived  good  care1  from  inc.  They  always  performed  their 
share  of  hard  work.  We  had  participated  in  some1  very  try 
ing  experiences  together,  but  by  my  using  a  little  judgment 
and  showing  kindness  to  them,  they  with  willingness  and 
often  with  great  exertion,  pulled  us  out  of  many  hard 
places.  It  was  through  their  assistance  and  arduous  labors 
that  we  saved  the  gun  at  Bristoe  Station,  and  also  the  one 
at  IN)  Kiver.  The  off  horse1  was  old  and  not  strong  enough 
for  his  mate.  and.  on  the?  12th,  when  there  were  so  manv 


PRIVATE    HENRY   F.   HICKS. 
Severely  wounded  at  Fredericksburg,  Va. ;  both  feet  amputated. 


18b'4.]  SrOTTSYLVAXIA  387 

guns  and  horses  captured.  I  traded  and  got  an  extra  good 
one,  hut  he  did  not  match  in  looks  my  old  one  of  our  earlier 
campaigns.  Whenever  the  infantry  saw  us  on  the  road,  by 
day  01-  night,  they  would  ask  while  passing  by  us:  "What 
battery  is  that?"  Hut  as  soon  as  they  saw  my  team,  they 
would  exclaim  "Oh:  1  know;  it's  the  Rhode  Island  battery, 
here  are  the  bobtailed  horses."  They  had  been  driven  by 
Daniel  <\  Dore  until  he  was  taken  sick  and  discharged,  then 
I  took  charge  of  them.  My  horse  was  always  called  "Old 
Dan."  My  deepest  regret  on  my  discharge  from  the  service 
was  to  leave  "Old  Dan"  behind.  Our  captain  took  his  horse 
with  him.  and  I  begged  of  him  to  take  Dan  also,  but  he  de 
clined  my  request.  My  greatest  joy  would  have  been  to 
have1  brought  him  home  myself.  As  it  was  I  kissed  the  old 
fellow,  bade  him  good-bye  and  left  him,  realizing  as  1  did 
that  lie  had  lost  a  good  friend. 


838  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    l{.    1.    LIGHT    ART1LLKHY      [May, 

CHAPTER  XX 

NORTH  ANXA  AND  THE  TOTOPOTOMOY. 

ON  the  morning  of  May  21st  wo  readied  Guinea  Sta 
tion  about  daybreak.  Our  cavalry,  under  General 
Torbert,  drove  in  the  rebel  vedettes.  The  marching 
was  forced  and  we  reached  Howling  Green  at  a  little  past 
ten  o'clock,  proceeding  by  way  of  the  Fredericksburg  and 
Gordonsville  railroad.  It  was  a  quaint-looking  old  Vir 
ginia  town,  and  contained  some  of  the  sauciest  rebels  I  had 
ever  met.  The  negroes  had  never  before  seen  any  Yankee 
soldiers,  and  it  was  difficult  to  make  them  believe  that  we 
were  Yankees.  After  asking  numerous  questions,  they 
would  say,  "If  use  ar  Yankees,  \vhar  is  yer  horns?"  These 
sayings  pleased  our  boys.  We  tried  in  every  way  possible 
to  assure  them  we  were  Yankees,  but  when  our  flag  came  in 
view  then  they  said,  "The  rebs  don't  carry  that  kind  of  a 
flag!"  One  of  them  said,  "No;  dey  use  to  hav  dat  kind,  but 
dey  don't  has  it  any  more!"  After  we  had  convinced  them 
that  we  were  Yankees,  they  all  reckoned  that  we  were  a  bet 
ter  looking  lot  of  men  than  Marsa  Hob's,  meaning  General 
Lee's  soldiers.  Their  owners  had  made  them  believe  that 
the  Yankees  had  horns,  and  were  enemies  to  them. 

Torbett's  cavalry  and  horse  artillery,  with  the  Second 
Torps,  charged  and  drove  the  home  guards  and  all  other 
forces  that  appeared  in  their  path.  We  forced  our  way 
along  towards  Mil  ford  Station,  which  was  quite  an  import 
ant  railroad  junction,  and  was  a  town  with  many  neat  ap 
pearing  homes.  It  was  just  beyond  Howling  Green.  The 
cavalry  found  the  enemy  in  rifle-pits  on  the  north  side  of 
Mattapony  River,  which  they  charged  and  drove  the  rebels 
across  the  river,  capturing  sixty  of  them,  and  saving  the 


1864.]  NORTH    ANNA    AND    THE    TOTOPOTOMOY  339 

bridge  from  being-  destroyed.  Barlow's  (our)  division 
crossed  the  river  as  soon  as  it  reached  the  stream.  As  our 
battery  came  to  the  bridge  and  was  preparing  to  cross,  two 
guns  from  a  wooded  side  hill  opened  upon  the  bridge  with 
a  will.  Our  left  section  was  turned  short  to  the  right  on 
trot  march  and  wrent  into  battery  near  the  river  under  cover 
of  some  large  trees,  and  soon  drove  the  rebel  gunners  away. 
Kirney's  division  was  crossing  when  the  shelling  began,  and 
his  division  broke.  Putting  spur  to  his  horse,  P>irney  took 
the  lead  and  rode  straight  across,  his  troops  following  him 
in  good  order.  Burnside  came  up  with  a  part  of  his  troops. 
He  also  rode  in  front  as  steady  as  if  on  parade.  We  crossed 
the  bridge  about  six  o'clock  and  went  into  park.  About 
seven  o'clock  the  enemy  brought  out  those  two  guns,  and 
began  shelling  again,  but  was  soon  compelled  to  cease  firing, 
and  it  was  reported  that  some  of  our  troops  had  captured 
them.  From  the  night  of  the  2()th  we  had  marched  thirty 
miles. 

Sunday,  the  21st,  the  weather  was  hot  and  dry.  About 
seven  o'clock  we  marched  out  for  a  mile  or  thereabouts  and 
took  position  in  line  of  battle.  Our  battery  began  immedi 
ately  to  throw  up  an  earthwork  around  the  guns.  After  it 
was  completed  we  were  ordered  to  move  some  two  hundred 
yards,  and  another  battery  took  our  place,  which  caused 
great  dissatisfaction  among  the  men  of  our  battery,  but  we 
were  soon  busy  on  another  earthwork,  although  we.  had  no 
occasion  to  use  our  guns.  We  had  built  more  entrench 
ments  in  that  campaign  than  we  had  during  all  the  time  of 
our  previous  service.  We  understood  then  that'Meade  was 
in  hopes  that  the  enemy  would  attack  us  in  that  open  coun 
try,  or,  better  still,  that  Hancock  would  take  the  aggressive 
against  the  enemy  advancing  to  attack  him,  and  thus  a  fight 
in  the  open  would  be  brought  on  between  considerable  bod 
ies  of  the  two  armies.  Considering,  however,  that  he  was 
alone  on  the  extreme  left  flank  of  the  army,  across  an  im 
portant  stream,  and  not  knowing  but  that  some  accidental 


340  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    1.     LICHT    ARTILLERY       [Ml.IV, 

or  treacherous  discovery  of  Meade's  plans  might  bring  down 
upon  lii ID  the  whole  weight  of  Lee's  army.  General  Han 
cock  set  his  troops  to  entrenching.  The  line  thrown  up  in 
a  few  hours  was  a  marvel  for  the  skill  and  industry  it  dis 
played. 

Walker  says :  "The  writer  well  remembers  the  astonish 
ment  of  General  Burnside,  when  he  arrived,  at  the  massive 
character  of  the  works.  He  could  scarcely  believe  that 
these  had  not  required  days  for  their  construction;  and, 
after  exhausting  his  powers  of  expression,  would,  with  a 
brief  rest,  break  forth  again  in  the  same  vein." 

I  am  of  the  opinion  that  General  Hancock  showed  a  great 
weakness  here,  as  he  was  requested  to  attack  in  case  the  en 
emy  did  not,  and  it  was  evident  that  he  did  not  want  or  in 
tend  to  fight,  without  being  forced  to  do  so,  in  an  open  conn 
try;  and  I  am  also  of  the  opinion  that  had  Hancock  vig 
orously  attacked  at  this  point  the  disaster  at  Cold  Harbor 
never  would  have  happened.  As  it  was  Lee  did  not  intend 
to  attack  Hancock,  as  it  had  been  hoped  he  would  do,  but 
his  purpose  was  to  place  himself  again  between  Grant's 
army  and  Richmond.  He  was,  meanwhile,  being  re-en 
forced,  after  his  severe  losses,  by  all  the  troops  that  could 
be  brought  from  the  Valley  of  Virginia,  from  the  James,  and 
from  North  Carolina,  to  meet  the  advance  of  Grant. 

Walker  says:  "These  re  enforcements  did  not  equal  in 
numbers  those  reaching  Grant  from  Washington.  On  his 
part  Grant  was  preparing  to  draw  to  his  own  support  a  por 
tion  of  Butler's  Army  of  the  James,  which,  after  his  repulse 
by  Beauregard,  was  'bottled  up'  in  Bermuda  Hundred." 

By  the  night  of  the  ±M  the  whole  army  was  all  well  up 
abreast  of  Hancock,  or  in  support  of  him;  while  Lee  had 
concentrated  his  army  at  Hanover  Junction,  some  eighteen 
miles  away,  being  uncertain  whether  Grant  would  move  di 
rect  on  him  or  undertake  a  further  move  by  the  left.  Grant 
had  determined  to  move  direct  to  North  Anna  Kiver,  and  to 
force  its  passage. 


18(>4.]  NOKTH     ANNA     AND    THE    TOTOI'OTOMOY  841 

( )n  the1  -?•'>(!  the  weather  was  fine,  and,'  about  five  o'clock, 
we  marched  with  Birney's  division  not  far  from  ten  miles, 
and  arrived  at  Chesterfield  about  noon  near  a  bridge  over 
Polecat  Creek;  about  one  mile  from  the  North  Anna  River. 
Torbett's  cavalry  was  skirmishing  with  the  enemy.  After 
lying  there  an  hour  our  battery  was  ordered  to  advance,  tak 
ing  a  position  behind  a  narrow  strip  of  woods  near  the 
river.  Part  of  the  artillery  brigade,  under  Colonel  Tidball, 
was  brought  up  and  opened  lire  across  the  North  Anna  upon 
Lee's  army,  which  could  be  seen  coming  rapidly  into  posi 
tion.  Our  artillery  fire  caused  them  to  scatter  in  all  direc 
tions  to  the  cover  of  their  entrenchments.  They  still  held 
a  small  earthwork  on  our  bank  of  the  river  covering  the 
county  bridge,  but  our  advancing  forces  steadily  pushed 
them  back  until  their  skirmishers  were  all  driven  across, 
though  the  bridge-head  was  still  held  by  troops  from  Ker- 
shaw's  division,  which  (Jeneral  Hancock  determined  to 
carry.  Two  brigades  of  Kirney's,  now  under  Col.  Thomas 
\V.  Egaii,  and  Col.  P>yron  K.  Pierce,  were  formed  for  attack, 
and.  at  half  past  six.  charged  across  the  field  from  nearly 
opposite  directions  converging  upon  the  earthwork.  Our 
right  section  was  advanced  with  the  brigades,  to  close  mus 
ketry  range1,  and  opened  fire  with  canister,  and  the  enemy 
were  driven  pell-mell  across  the  bridge,  our  troops  captur 
ing  a  few  prisoners.  This  section  had  fired  away  about  all 
of  its  ammunition,  but  its  chests  were  soon  afterwards  re 
plenished,  and  immediately  our  battery  crossed  the  bridge, 
being  the  first  artillery  over  the  creek.  \Ye  went  into  posi 
tion,  and,  during  the  night,  built  breastworks  around  our 
guns.  The  enemy  endeavored  to  burn  the  county  bridge 
over  the  river  when  they  retreated,  and  made1  two  or  three 
ineffectual  attempts  through  the  night.  They  succeeded, 
however,  in  partially  burning  the  railroad  bridge. 

The  24th  was  clear  and  warm.  Skirmishing  began  at 
daylight.  About  eight  o'clock,  Hirney's  division,  to  which 
we  were  then  attached,  crossed  the  river  and  took  and  occn 


342  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    1.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [May, 

pied  the  abandoned  work  around  the  Fox  house,  after  first 
driving  away  the  enemy's  skirmishers.  Two  pontoon 
bridges  were  thrown  over  below  the  railroad  bridge,  on 
which  Barlow's  and  Gibbon's  divisions  crossed.  Tyler's 
Heavy  Artillery  remained  on  the  north  bank,  holding  the 
captured  bridge-head  and  connecting  the  Second  with  the 
Fifth  Corps  on  our  right.  Our  battery  went  to  the  right  of 
the  bridge  to  engage  the  enemy's  battery,  which  was  shell 
ing  it.  We  engaged  them  for  an  hour  without  much  eft'ect. 
as  they  were  strongly  fortified.  One  of  our  men,  Thomas 
Steere,  was  shot  through  the  leg  by  a  sharpshooter  from 
across  the  river.  Our  battery  was  relieved  by  Battery  K. 
Fourth  United  States,  and  we  returned  to  our  first  position. 
About  four  o'clock  General  Burnside,  with  Potter's  division 
of  the  Ninth  Corps  crossed  the  bridge  in  support  of  the  Sec 
ond  Corps.  Burnside  took  the  lead  and  went  as  slowly  and 
as  steadily  as  if  on  parade,  the  enemy  opening  a  heavy  artil 
lery  fire  upon  them.  Our  battery  was  then  ordered  across. 
Captain  Arnold  told  the  cannoneers  to  scatter  and  go 
ahead,  as  the  horses  were  liable  to  draw  the  enemy's  fire, 
which  they  did  in  good  earnest.  It  appeared  as  if  some  of 
the  horses  or  guns  were  likely  to  be  hit,  as  it  seemed  an  easy 
mark  on  a  bridge  so  high,  with  a  clear  view  for  gunners;  yet 
nothing  was  touched.  After  crossing  we  took  position  in 
breastworks  thrown  up  for  us  by  some  infantry  of  our 
corps,  sheltered  somewhat  by  the  Fox  mansion,  and  in  line 
with  our  infantry.  A  sharp  engagement  took  place  before 
dark,  but  a  heavy  shower  came  up  which  put  an  end  to  it. 
Smyth's  brigade  of  Gibbon's  division  doing  the  fighting.  It 
was  reported  that  night  that  the  Ninth  Corps  had  been  in 
corporated  into  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  The  situation 
of  our  army  at  that  time  was  as  follows:  Warren,  on  the 
right,  had  reached  the  river  about  the  same  hour  as  Han 
cock,  on  the  -!:>d,  and  crossed  it  at  Jericho  Mills,  three  miles 
above  where  Hancock  had  crossed  without  opposition;  but 
at  six  o'clock  he  was  attacked  with  furv  bv  A.  P.  Hill.  Cut- 


18H4.]  NOKTH     ANNA     AND    THE    TOTOPOTOMOY  343 

lev's  division,  acting  badly,  broke  in  confusion,  and,  after 
some  hard  fighting,  were  thrown  off  by  Griffin,  and  War 
ren's  position  was  secure.  General  Lee  still  held  up  to  the 
bank  of  the  river,  at  Oxford,  about  a  mile  above  Chester 
field,  and  along  the  river,  for  perhaps  three-quarters  of  a 
mile.  It  was  from  this  position  that  the  enemy  shelled 
what  was  called  the  Chesterfield  bridge,  Avhich  we  had 
passed  over.  This  movement  put  Lee  between  Warren  and 
Hancock,  and  strongly  entrenched.  Burnside  was  on  the 
north  bank  at  Oxford,  but  during  the  day  Stevenson's  divi 
sion  was  sent  to  Warren,  and  Potter's  to  Hancock.  The 
Sixth  Corps  was  assigned  to  the  right  wing  to  co-operate 
with  Warren.  This  appeared  to  place  Grant's  army  in  a 
rather  bad  position,  as  Lee  could  concentrate  with  the 
greatest  rapidity  against  either  wing  of  Grant's  army  for 
attack  or  defence,  while  our  army  would  have1  to  cross  and 
recross  the  river.  Whether  it  was  Grant's  wish  that  Lee 
would  attack  in  this  position  it  was  never  known;  but  it 
certainly  appeared  dubious  to  those  who  were  not  informed 
in  regard  to  General  Grant's  plans. 

The  morning  of  the  -5th  was  cloudy  and  damp.  Our  can 
noneers  were  sent  to  the  front  with  axes,  shovels,  and  picks, 
to  fortify  a  position  for  our  guns,  and  the  guns  were  ad 
vanced  about  eight  o'clock  under  a  hot  fire  from  the  en 
emy's  sharpshooters,  and  to  which  we  were  subjected 
throughout  the  day.  The  Second  Corps  had  three  strongly 
entrenched  lines,  our  battery  being  in  the  front  line  with  the 
infantry.  Our  mortar  batteries  had  been  firing  steadily  all 
day  long.  Our  situation  looked  gloomy  indeed.  We  had 
a  heavy  shower  in  the  evening. 

On  the  l2(>th  the  weather  still  continued  damp  and  cloudy. 
Some  of  the  Ninth  Corps  had  been  sharply  engaged.  Our 
corps  remained  quiet  throughout  the  day,  except  that  the 
mortars  did  some  firing.  We  were  ordered  to  evacuate  the 
south  side  of  the  river,  and,  about  ten  p.  M.,  crossed  on  the 
pontoons  and  took  position  where1  our  first  line  of  battle 


344  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY      [May, 

was  formed  on  the  23d,  and  stayed  there  through  the  night. 
It  looked  to  the  common  soldier  as  if  General  Grant  had 
acted  wisely  in  refraining'  from  attacking  such  a  position, 
and  determining,  as  he  did,  on  a  further  movement  to  the 
left. 

Our  cavalry  having  returned  from  their  great  raid,  begun 
on  the  8th  of  May,  during  which  time  that  brilliant  rebel 
cavalry  leader,  General  Stuart,  had  been  killed  at  Yellow 
Tavern,  Sheridan  was  dispatched  with  a  heavy  column 
around  Lee's  left  to  do  as  much  damage  as  possible  to  the 
railroad,  and  create  the  impression  that  Grant's  next  move 
would  be  in  that  direction.  While  Lee's  attention  was  thus 
occupied,  General  Grant  withdrew  his  army  from  the  south 
bank  of  the  North  Anna,  and  started  it  upon  another  flank 
movement  by  the  left,  with  the  hope  of  getting  between 
Lee's  army  and  Richmond. 

The  losses  of  the  Second  Corps  during  the  periods  of  May 
21st  to  26th  amounted  to  543,  exclusive  of  the  casualties  in 
a  few  regiments  from  which  reports  were  never  received, 
owing  to  the  rapid  succession  in  which  marches  and  battles 
occurred  at  this  juncture.  Of  this  aggregate  100  were 
killed,  388  wounded,  and  55  missing.  Of  these  the  artillery 
brigade  lost  4,  the  First  Division  1)5,  the  Second  Division 
241,  the  Third  Division  203.  Of  the  killed  8  were  commis 
sioned  officers,  of  the  wounded  15. 

The  27th  was  clear  and  warm.  The  Sixth  Corps  was  in 
the  advance,  marching  for  Hanover  Town,  near  the  1'amim- 
key  River,  which  was  over  thirty  miles  from  our  position  on 
the  North  Anna.  Our  corps  had  been  engaged  during  the 
morning  tearing  up  the  railroad  toward  Milford,  and  was 
to  follow  the  Sixth.  The  Fifth  and  Ninth  corps  were  to 
move  by  an  inside  road,  and  to  cross  the  Pamunkey  about 
four  miles  below  Hanover  Town.  Owing  to  delay  in  wait 
ing  for  the  Sixth  Corps  we  did  not  get  away  until  eleven 
o'clock,  when  we  marched  over  a  very  hot,  dusty  road  for 
nearly  eleven  miles.  About  eight  o'clock  we  made  a  halt 


1864.]  NORTH    ANNA    AND    THE    TOTOPOTOMOY  345 

for  two  hours,  then  marched  nearly  four  miles  and  biv 
ouacked  in  a  ploughed  field.  Although  this  march  of  eleven 
miles  was  quite  tiresome  the  troops  were  cheerful,  thinking 
that  they  were  about  to  put  Lee's  army  on  the  run,  and  that 
one  decisive  battle  in  an  open  country  would  end  the  war. 

The  28th  was  hot  and  dusty.  AVe  started  at  eight  o'clock 
and  made  a  slow,  tedious  march  of  it  to  the  1'amunkey 
River,  which  we  crossed  about  four  o'clock  on  pontoon 
bridges,  and  went  into  line  of  battle  between  the  Fifth  and 
Sixth  corps  in  front  of  Hanover  Town,  about  seventeen 
miles  from  Richmond.  Our  left  was  on  the  Totopotomoy 
Creek.  AVe  went  into  camp  about  one  mile  from  the  river, 
and  unharnessed  our  horses,  which  was  a  great  relief  to 
Them.  AVe  could  see  our  gunboats  down  the  river.  Sheri 
dan's  cavalry  had  a  hard  light,  supported  by  infantry  from 
Butler's  Army  of  the  .James,  at  ITa\ves's  Shop,  driving  the 
enemy  and  capturing  a  number  of  prisoners. 

On  the  20th,  Sunday,  the  weather  was  warm,  and  the 
roads  dusty.  AVe  hitched  up  at  two  o'clock  A.  M.,  but  did 
not  move  until  eighl.  Barlow's  division  having  gone  on  a 
reconnoissance,  and  by  some1  mistake  we  were1  ordered  to  go 
with  it;  but  a/s  we  were  at  that  lime  attached  to  Birney's 
division,  this  order  should  not  have  been  given.  AVe  did 
not  go  far,  however,  when  the  mistake  was  discovered  and 
we  returned  to  our  former  position.  We  moved  again  at 
eleven  and  marched  over  a  very  good  road,  but  rather  dusty, 
which  runs  from  Hanover  Town  through  llawes's  Shop, 
Pole  Green  Church  on  the  Totopotomoy,  Hunt  ley's  Corners, 
and  Shady  drove  Church,  toward  Richmond,  crossing  the 
Chickahominy  at  Meadow  Bridge.  All  these  places  were 
well  known  to  the  soldiers  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  in 
May  and  June,  1.8G2. 

As  we  passed  Hawes's  Shop,  where  Sheridan  had  fought 
so  stubbornly  the  day  before,  a  number  of  dead  cavalrymen 
were  to  be  seen.  The  enemy  had  been  found  at  the  junction 
of  the  Cold  Harbor  and  Hanover  Court  House  roads,  but 


34« 


BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [Muv,. 


was  driven  out.  At  Swift  Creek  the  enemy  was  discovered 
strongly  entrenched.  Here  a  line  of  battle  was  formed, 
Barlow  on  the  left,  Birney  on  his  right,  with  Gibbon  on  the 
right  of  .Kirney.  It  was  a  hard  looking  position,  and  ap 
peared  as  if  a  hard  fight  would  have  been  made  if  Lee  had 
attacked  us  there.  His  army  had  been  re-enforced  by 
Breckenridge's  troops  from  up  the  valley,  while  Grant's 
army  had  been  augmented  by  a  re-enforcement  of  about  six 
teen  thousand  troops  from  the  Army  of  the  James  under 
Butler.  But,  after  several  forced  marches,  Lee  succeeded 
in  putting  his  army  between  Richmond  and  Grant's  forces. 
On  the  :>0th  the  weather  came  out  clear  and  quite  warm. 
The  army  had  been  engaged  in  fortifying  from  the  time  of 
our  arrival  there  at  one  o'clock  that  morning.  About  day 
light  our  battery  was  ordered  to  the  extreme  front  with  the 
infantry,  when  we  began  again  to  throw  up  breastworks  for 
our  protection.  It  was  fortunate  for  us  that  a  heavy  fog 
prevailed,  as  the  rebel  sharpshooters  would  have  made  great 
havoc  in  our  ranks.  About  eleven  o'clock  we  returned  and 
took  position  behind  the  works  made  for  us,  but  our  section 
was  ordered  to  the  left  by  Colonel  Tidball,  chief  of  artillery, 
and  moved  on  to  a  fine  ridge,  where  our  artillery  brigade 
were  all  stationed,  and  then  opened  fire  upon  the  enemy's 
works.  It  proved  to  be  a  fierce  artillery  duel,  but  after 
awhile  we  succeeded  in  silencing  them.  A  mortar  battery 
was  at  work  between  our  guns  during  the  afternoon.  Our 
first  lieutenant.  Peter  Hunt,  was  the  only  one  of  our  battery 
who  was  wounded,  his  foot  being  shattered  by  a  shell,  and 
his  wound  proved  fatal.  Our  guidon  bearer,  John  F.  Leach, 
was  directed  to  take  the  lieutenant  to  the  hospital,  which  he 
did,  and  a  surgeon  of  the  Irish  brigade  attended  him,  taking 
a  number  of  pieces  of  bone  from  his  foot.  He  was  then 
taken  by  Leach  to  a  fine  old  Virginia  mansion  (called  the 
Gale  house)  standing  upon  the  ridge  where  our  artillery 
was  stationed,  but  shells  Avere  continually  passing  through 
it,  so  after  awhile  he  was  placed  in  an  ambulance  with  a 


GUIDON-BEARER  JOHN  F.  LEACH. 


Acted  as    bearer  of   dispatches    for    Generals    Sumner,    Hunt,    Morgan,  and 
others,  "and  was  distinguished    for  bravery  on  many  battlefields. 


1864.]  TOTOPOTOMOY  847 

colonel  from  a  New  York  regiment  and  Leach  was  sent  with 
them  to  AVliite  House  Landing,  where  they  were  put  on 
board  of  the  old  steamboat  Canonicus,  and  Leach  returned 
to  the  battery. 

Lieutenant  Hunt  was  removed  to  the  hospital  at  Wash 
ington  where  his  limb  was  amputated.  Sinking  under  the 
effects  of  his  wound  he  died  June  14th. 

A  singular  incident  occurred  in  the  yard  of  the  Gale  house 
during  that  artillery  combat.  While  one  of  the  limbers  of 
the  Tenth  Massachusetts  Battery  was  being  taken  to  the 
rear  of  the  house  to  refill  it  with  ammunition,  a  negro  wo 
man,  crazed  with  fright,  ran  out  of  the  house  with  a  shovel 
ful  of  ashes  from  the  fireplace  and  emptying  them  into  the 
ammunition  chest,  a  terrific  explosion  followed,  killing  two 
men  and  wounding  four  others.  The  wheel  horses  of  the 
limber  were  also  killed,  but,  strange  to  relate,  the  negro  wo 
man  escaped  unharmed. 

Walker's  History  of  the  Kccond  Corps  speaks  of  the  Gale 
mansion  as  follows:  "General  Hancock,  after  deciding  to 
attempt  the  passage  of  the  creek,  had  instructed  me  to  write 
to  the  ladies  of  the  house  immediately  at  the  crossing,  who, 
as  he  had  learned,  were  there  unprotected,  informing  them 
that  their  estate  was  likely  to  be  the  scene  of  a  severe  con 
flict  the  next  day,  and  offering  them  transportation  to  the 
rear.  This  was  done,  and,  to  save  time,  an  ambulance  was 
sent  along.  In  reply  to  the  letter,  we  received  an  hour  later 
a  very  courteous  appeal  from  the  ladies  not  to  make  their 
house  the  scene  of  conflict;  stating  that  one  of  the  members 
of  the  household  was  sick  and  could  not  well  be  moved,  and 
requesting  that  the  Second  Corps  would  take  some  other 
route.  11  being  not  altogether  convenient  to  alter  the  plans 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  at  so  short  a  notice,  it  was 
necessary  to  reply  that  the  Second  Corps  could  not  well 
change  its  line  of  march,  and  that  if  they  valued  their  lives 
they  would  retire.  I  not  only  sent  the  ambulance  a  second 
time,  but  requested  the  able  and  humane  medical  director 


348  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    \\.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [May, 

of  the  corps,  Dr.  Dougherty,  to  visit  them  and  see  that  the 
sick  member  of  the  household  suffered  no  harm.  Dr. 
Dougherty  went,  but  speedily  came  back.  He  had  pro 
nounced  the  sick  lady  to  be  in  condition  to  move  without  the 
slightest  danger;  but  his  opinion  had  been  received  with  in 
dignation  not  of  the  speechless  variety.  I  myself  received 
a  letter,  in  which  the  opinions  of  the  household  concerning 
the  Congress,  president,  people,  and  army  of  the  United 
Stales  were  set  forth  with  the  utmost  distinctness.  The 
epistle  closed  with  informing,  me  that  if  any  of  the  family 
were  killed  on  the  morrow  their  blood  would  rest  upon  my 
soul  forevermore.  Inasmuch  as  the  only  possible  chance  of 
their  being  injured  was  by  shots  from  cannon  manned  by 
Confederates,  it  was  difficult  to  apprehend  the  logic  of  this 
denunciation.  The  upshot  was  that  the  ladies,  sick  and 
well,  stayed  in  the  house,  having  inaved  down  into  the  cel 
lar.  As  our  signal  officers  used  the  roof  for  the  purposes  of 
observation,  the  Confederate  cannoneers  were1  particularly 
attentive  to  it.  The  house  was  repeatedly  struck,  but  none 
of  the  family  in  the  cellar  were  hurt." 

After  the  enemy's  batteries  were1  silenced  by  our  artillery, 
General  Hancock  was  directed  not  to  press  matters,  as  the 
other  corps  were1  to  attempt  to  turn  the  enemy's  position  at 
a  little  after  seven  o'clock  p.  M. 

Walker  says,  "Hancock  was  informed  Ilia  I  Warren,  on 
the  extreme  left,  at  Bethesda  Church,  had  been  violently  at 
tacked,  and  he  was  directed,  as  soon  as  he  could  find  a  suit 
able  place,  to  assault  the  enemy,  in  order  to  relieve  the  pres 
sure  on  the  Fifth  Corps.  Instantly  Barlow's  division  was 
launched  at  the  enemy, — corps,  division,  and  brigade  com 
manders  equally  co-operating  to  make  the  action  prompt, 
and,  if  possible,  successful.  In  less  than  thirty  minutes 
from  the  receipt  of  the  tirst  message  General  Meade  sent  an 
order  to  cease  the  attack;  but  Brooke's  brigade  had  already 
carried  the  enemy's  line  of  rifle-pits  in  splendid  style,  over 
natural  obstacles  of  the  most  formidable  character,  and 


18t>4.]  TOTOPOTOMOV  349 

against  a  stubborn  resistance.     Darkness  no\v  came  on  and 
operations  were  suspended.'' 

On  the  morning  of  the  .'ttst  Barlow's  divison  held  the  rifle 
pits  captured  from  the  enemy  before  Birney's  division  had 
crossed  Swift  Creek  and  carried  the  entrenched  skirmish 
line.  Outside  of  this  nothing  was  accomplished  on  our  part 
of  the  line,  except  a  battery  of  smooth-bore  Napoleon  guns 
were  allowed  to  shell  the  woods,  over  our  heads,  nearly  half 
a  mile  in  our  rear,  which  was  about  the  limit  of  range  of 
those  guns.  We  were  at  a  loss  to  understand  how  Colonels 
Tidball  and  Hazard,  our  artillery  chiefs,  should  permit  rifle- 
guns  to  be  placed  on  the  front  line  while  smooth-bores 
were  kept  at  a  distance  in  the  rear.  There  was  consider 
able  skirmishing  going  on,  and  sharpshooters  were  busily 
engaged  in  picking  off  any  person  who  came  within  the 
reach  of  their  deadly  aim.  Xorris  L.  Church,  of  our  battery, 
wras  shot  through  the  head  that  day  by  a  rebel  sharpshooter 
in  a  tree.  He  died  in  a  few  moments  after  being  hit.  The 
different  sections  of  our  battery  came  together  that  day. 
Also  on  the  same  day  (ien.  \V.  F.  Smith  I  Haldy)  arrived 
with  sixteen  thousand  of  Butler's  troops,  by  way  of  White 
House  Landing.  The  other  corps  of  the  army  appeared  to 
have  met  with  no  better  results  than  our  own.  General 
Grant  therefore  determined  again  to  retire  from  his  direct 
advance  toward  Richmond,  and  throw  his  army  with  all 
speed  toward  Cold  Harbor.  The  losses  of  our  corps  on  the 
North  Anna  and  Totopotomoy  had  been  as  follows:  Com 
missioned  officers:  Killed,  15;  wounded,  58;  missing,  2; 
total,  75.  Unlisted  men:  Killed,  244;  wounded,  1,074; 
missing,  258;  total,  1,576. 

General  NValker  says:  "During  the  latter  part  of  May  it 
\vas  decided  to  break  up  the  divisions  of  heavy  artillery  un 
der  General  Tyler.  The  Second  New  York  was  sent  to 
Miles's  brigade;  the  Seventh  to  Brooke's  brigade;  the  First 
Massachusetts  to  the  Second  Brigade  of  the  Third  Division, 
Colonel  Tannatt  assuming  command  by  seniority;  the  First 


350 


BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY       [May, 


Maine  was  sent  to  Mott's  brigade  of  the  Third  Division.  A 
new  brigade,  the  Fourth,  was  constituted  in  Gibbon's  divi 
sion,  under  the  command  of  General  Tyler,  consisting  of  the 
Eighth.  New  York  Heavy  Artillery  and  the  Corcoran  Legion. 
"The  corps  returns  for  the  31st  of  May  showed  an  aggre 
gate,  present  and  absent,  of  53,831,  distributed  as  follows: 
Corps  Headquarters,  21;  Artillery  Brigade,  (48  guns),  Col 
onel  Tidball,  3,188;  First  Division,  General  Barlow,  15,807; 
Second  Division,  General  Gibbon,  16,046;  Third  Division, 
General  Birney,  18,769.  The  'present  for  duty'  was  but 
about  one-half  the  aggregate,  as  follows:  Commissioned 
officers,  1,293;  enlisted  men,  25,608;  total,  26,900." 


1804.]  COLD    HAKBOH  351 


CHAPTER  XXI 

COLD  HARBOR. 

JUNE  1,  18(U,  Avas  an  eventful  day  in  the  annals  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  and  of  its  brave  antagonist  the 
Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  for  on  thai  day  Grant 
commenced  a  series  of  assaults  against  Lee's  army,  the 
results  of  which  form  an  important  epoch  in  the  history  of 
our  country.  On  that  day  nothing  hut  skirmishing  was  go 
ing  on  in  our  immediate  front,  hut  there  was  heavy  firing 
heard  in  the  direction  of  the  left  of  our  army,  which  seemed 
i\  long  distance  away.  It  proved  to  be  the  Sixth  Corps, 
commanded  by  General  Wright,  who  was  relieving  Sheri 
dan's  cavalry  at  Cold  Harbor,  who  was  severely  engaged 
with  the  enemy's  cavalry  and  infantry  when  Wright's  corps 
arrived.  After  relieving  Sheridan,  the  Sixth  Corps  was  in 
a  dangerous  position,  owing  to  the  Eighteenth  Corps,  under 
Gen.  Baldy  Smith,  having  gone  astray  by  an  error  in  his 
instructions.  The  Confederates,  anticipating  the  movement 
on  Cold  Harbor,  had  concentrated  very  strongly  on  their 
own  right,  between  Cold  Harbor  and  Bethesda  Church. 
About  six  o'clock  A.  M.  the  Eighteenth  Corps  was  in  posi 
tion,  and  all  danger  of  disaster  was  passed.  Four  divisions 
of  Lee's  army  opposed  Wright  and  Smith,  viz.:  Hoke's, 
Kershaw's,  Pickett's,  and  Field's. 

Walker  says :  "About  six  o'clock  Wright  and  Smith  at 
tacked,  with  varying  fortune  and  heavy  losses,  but  on  the 
whole  successfully.  Portions  of  the  enemy's  entrenched 
lines  were  carried,  and  many  hundreds  of  prisoners  taken. 
The  two  corps  under  Wright  and  Smith  having  thus  occu 
pied  Cold  Harbor,  and  even  gained  considerable  advantages, 
in  spite  of  an  unexpectedly  large  concentration  of  the  hos 
tile  forces,  Hancock  was  dispatched,  in  haste,  to  join  them.'' 


BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.     I.     LHJHT    ARTILLERY      [JllllC, 

Abiout  dark  our  battery  left  the  Totopotkmioy,  marching1  all 
night  to  Cold  Harbor. 

On  the  2d  the  weatlier  was  hot  and  the  dust  suffocating. 
We  marched  the  night  before  in  a  cloud  of  dnst,  and  pro 
ceeded  by  a  road  thai  was  in  a  wretched  condition.  Tn  some 
places  there  was  no  road.  There  was  not  room  enough  for 
the  guns  and  wagons  to  pass  between  the  trees.  We  ar 
rived  at  Cold  Harbor  about  eight  o'clock  that  morning,  and 
were  allowed  to  unhitch  our  horses.  We  did  not  become  en 
gaged  but  were  under  a  severe  fire  from  the  rebel  skirmish 
ers  all  day.  About  five  hundred  prisoners  were  marched 
past  us  that  morning  who  had  been  captured* by  the  Sixth 
and  Eighteenth  corps.  It  began  to  rain  in  the  afternoon  and 
continued  into  the  night,  which  was  a  great  blessing  to  the 
army.  Everyone  who  could  use  a  shovel  or  pick  was  at 
work,  and  a  great  many  were1  digging  with  tin  cups,  plates, 
spoons,  or  anything  that  would  throw  up  dirt. 

Walker's  History  of  tlic  tfccttnd  Cfor/>#,  says:  ''General 
Meade's  order  was  unusually  urgent.  In  it  he  wrote:  'You 
must  make  every  exertion  to  move1  promptly,  and  reach  Cold 
Harbor  as  soon  as  possible.  At  that  point  you  will  take  po 
sition  to  re-enforce  Wright  on  his  left,  which  it  is  desired 
to  extend  to  the  Chickahominy.  Every  confidence  is  felt 
that  your  gallant  corps  of  veterans  will  move  with  vigor  and 
endure  the  necessary  fatigue.'  So  much  as  this  is  rarely 
expressed  in  the  formal  orders  from  headquarters,  and  Gen 
eral  Hancock  took  it  in  earnest.  The  instructions  of  Gen 
eral  Meade  would  have  been  fully  carried  out  had  it  not  been 
for  the  error  of  one  of  his  own  stall',  a  faithful  and  excellent 
officer  of  engineers,  who  undertook  to  conduct  the  column, 
by  a  short  cut,  through  a  wood  road.  After  moving  for 
some  distance  the  road  was  found  too  narrow  for  artillery, 
until  finally  the  guns  were  fairly  caughf  between  the  trees 
and  unable  to  move." 

This,  the  reader  will  notice,  fully  coincides  with  what  I 
have  said  in  mv  diarv. 


18H4.]  rOLI)    HATM5OH  353 

On  the  morning  of  the  .'><!  we  found  the  atmosphere  very 
refreshing  after  tlie  rain  which  had  fallen  tlie  night  before. 
Oni'  corps  was  on  the  extreme  left  of  the  line.  Onr  battery 
was  back  again  in  Barlow's  division.  We  were  within  six 
miles  of  Richmond,  with  onr  division  on  the  extreme  left, 
Gibbon's  next,  and  Birney's  in  support.  Lee  having  discov 
ered  the  abandonment  of  tlie  Totopotomov,  sent  Karly's 
corps  against  Bnrnside,  who  caught  tlie  Ninth  Corps  while 
retiring  and  a  great  many  of  their  men  were  captured. 
Karly  swept  down  onr  line  from  the  right,  striking  the  Hank 
of  Warren's  corps  and  capturing  a  considerable  number  of 
men,  and  at  once  moved  against  Warren's  right  and  rear. 
Griflin's  division  was  encountered  here,  and,  after  a  severe 
contest,  in  which  General  Dole,  of  Karly's  corps,  was  killed, 
forced  back  Kodes's  division;  while  Orittenden's  division  of 
the  Ninth  Corps,  subsequently  re-enforced  by  Potter  and 
WMlcox,  checked  and  held  tlie  division  of  Ileth.  So  the 
day  on  the  Totopotomov  closed,  both  armies  strongly  en 
trenching  themselves  during  the  night. 

Walker  says:  "Lee's  line  was  a  very  strong  one.  Its 
right  rested  on  the  Chickahominy,  amid  swamps,  but  soon 
rose  to  high  ground,  and  ran  in  a  direction  a  little  west  of 
north,  to  Karly's  position,  which  looked  to  the  northeast. 
The  road  from  Despatch  Station,  past  Barker's  Mill,  to  Cold 
Harbor,  ran  along  the  foot  of  the  high  ground  forming  Lee's 
right,  much  of  the  way  sunken  below  the  general  level  of  the 
ground,  until  it  diverged  and  ran  into  the  Cnion  lines  on 
the  front  of  Gibbon's  division.  Along  this  part  of  the  road, 
near  the  foot  of  the  high  ground  was  an  advanced  line  of 
Confederate  entrenchments.  Mill's  and  Breckenridge's,  with 
probably  a  part  of  lloke's  divisions,  which  held  this  portion 
of  the  enemy's  lines.  It  was  here  the  Second  Corps  was  to 
be  called  to  attack  on  the  fateful  morning  of  the  .*>d.  Then 
followed  the  rest  of  lloke's  division,  then  Long-street's  corps, 
and  then  Karly's,  forming  Lee's  left.  The  Confederate 
armv  was  at  last  at  bay,  close  on  Richmond,  the  city  being 

23 


354  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [June, 

distant  only  about  six  miles;  the  forts  protecting  the  city 
only  half  that  distance.  It  was  no  longer  practicable  to 
turn  either  flank  of  Lee's  army.  His  right  rested  on  the 
Chickahominy.  His  left  was  hidden  in  the  swamps  of  the 
Totopotomoy  and  the  Matadequin.  .  .  .  General  Grant 
determined  to  ha/ard  a  grand  assault,  in  view  of  the  mo 
mentous  consequences  of  a  victory  here.  The  Second  Corps 
on  the  Union  left,  the  Sixth  on  the  centre,  and  the 
Eighteenth  on  the  right,  were  to  attack  each  on  its  own 
front,  at  half-past  four.7' 

A  little  after  four  o'clock  Barlow  advanced  and  found  the 
enemy  in  the  sunken  road  running  diagonally  along  with 
our  line.  They  were  strongly  posted,  and,  after  a  severe 
struggle.  Barlow  drove  them  into  their  works,  under  a  heavy 
tire  of  musketry  and  artillery.  Our  battery  took  position 
about  eight  o'clock  A.  :\i.,  and  at  ten  we  were  sent  to  the 
front  line  where  we  immediately  engaged  the  enemy's  bat 
teries.  The  breastwork  around  the  guns  was  very  slight 
and  poorly  constructed.  The  enemy  opened  again  in  the 
afternoon,  and,  as  soon  as  they  obtained  our  range  and  cut 
the  breastwork,  the  tiring  ceased  for  awhile.  Our  battery 
should  have  taken  warning  and  strengthened  the  breast 
work  but  did  not  do  so.  About  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening 
they  opened  again,  the  tirst  five  shots  passing  directly 
through  our  works,  wounding  tive  men  on  our  tirst  gun, 
namely.  William  K.  Sweet,  face;  James  H.  Giles,  slight; 
Kdwin  Swett,  back,  severely;  John  Coleman,  groin;  John  U. 
\Vhitford,  right  arm  shot  off.  Jt  was  reported  that  our  bat 
tery  did  great  execution,  and  made  havoc  among  the  enemy. 
Barlow  captured  in  his  charge  two  hundred  prisoners,  one 
color,  and  three  cannon. 

General  Walker  says:  "The  captured  guns  were  turned 
on  the  enemy  by  Col.  L.  O.  Morris,  of  the  Seventh  ^ew  York 
Heavy  Artillery,  and  the  most  strenuous  efforts  made  to 
hold  the  position,  but  the  supports  were  slow  in  coming  up ; 
an  enfilading  tire  of  artillery  swept  down  the  tirst  line,  the 


1804.]  COLD    HAKBOM  355 

works  in  the  rear  opened  upon  them,  and  large  bodies  of 
fresh  troops,  from  Breckinridge's  division,  re-enforced  by 
Hill,  advanced,  with  the  utmost  determination,  to  retake  the 
position.  The  first  line  held  on  with  great  stubbornness, 
but  Avas  finally  forced  out,  Brooke  being  severely  wounded, 
and  Colonels  Byrnes  and  O.  H.  Morris  killed.  Though  com 
pelled  to  retire  the  men  of  the  leading  brigades  would  not 
go  far.  A  portion  of  the  line  fell  back  to  a  slight  crest  op 
posite  the  enemy's  entrenchments,  and  distant  only  from 
thirty  to  seventy-five  yards  therefrom,  and  proceeded  to 
cover  themselves  by  loosening  the  earth  with  their  bayonets 
and  scraping  it  up  with  their  hands  or  tin  plates,  and  here 
they  remained  throughout  the  day.  Miles's  brigade  also 
expected  a  lodgment  in  the  works,  Hapgood's  Fifth  Xew 
Hampshire,  recently  returned  from  the  North,  being  fore 
most  in  the  assault;  but  these  troops  also  were  driven  out 
by  the  enfilading  fire  of  the  Confederate  artillery  and  by  the 
strong  lines  advanced  against  them. 

"On  the  right  Gibbon's  division  had  had  no  better  fortune. 
That  officer  had  directed  his  second  line  to  follow  closely, 
and.  at  a  given  point,  push  rapidly  forward,  pass  the  first, 
effect  ing,  if  possible,  a  lodgment  in  the  enemy's  works  and 
then  deploying.  In  his  advance  Gibbon's  line  was  cut  in 
two  by  an  impassable  swamp,  which  widened  as  he  ap 
proached  the  works.  The  existence  of  this  had  not  been 
known.  The  fire  of  artillery  and  musketry  was  terrific. 
General  Tyler  fell  seriously  wounded.  Colonel  McKeen, 
gallantly  bringing  his  brigade  up  on  the  right  of  Tyler,  was 
killed.  Colonel  Ilaskell,  of  the  Thirty-sixth  Wisconsin,  suc 
ceeding  to  McKeen's  command,  also  fell  mortally  wounded. 
The  troops  struggled  on  against  the  furious  blast  of  fire 
from  fully  manned  works  on  the  high  ground.  Colonel  Mc- 
Mahon,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Sixty-fourth  Xew  York, 
having  become  separated  by  the  swamp  from  the  rest  of  Has- 
kell's  brigade  at  last  gained  the  breastworks,  at  the  head  of 
a  portion  of  his  regiment,  but  fell  dead  in  the  midst  of  the 


356  BATTERY    A,    FIKST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [June, 

enemy.  A  poHion  of  Smyth's  brigade,  also  reforming  and 
advancing  after  their  first  repulse,  gained  the  entrench 
ments;  but  Owen's  failure  to  bring  up  his  brigade  left 
Smyth's  shattered  command  unsupported.  At  last,  scarcely 
twenty-two  minutes  from  1he  time  the  signal  was  given,  the 
repulse  of  the  corps  was  complete.  Three  thousand  men 
had  fallen."  .  .  . 

"Although  the  repulse  of  both  divisions  had  been  decisive, 
the  troops  yet  clnng  tenaciously  to  the  ground  nearest  the 
Confederate  works,  wherever  so  much  as  half  cover  could  be 
obtained.  In  some  cases  our  men  lay  within  thirty  yards 
of  the  enemy;  at  other  places,  according  to  configuration  of 
the  ground,  (he  line  ran  away  to  fifty,  seventy,  a  hundred 
feet  or  more.  Here  the  troops  entrenched  themselves,  by 
bayonet  and  tin-plate,  until  a  beginning  had  been  made,  and 
waited  for  night  to  go  to  work  on  a  larger  scale  and  with 
better  tools.  Meanwhile,  Wright  and  Smith  had  been  at 
tacking  on  their  respective  fronts.  Each  was  beaten  back 
after  a  severe  struggle.  Hurnside  had  also  tried  the  en 
emy's  line  and  been  repulsed. 

"At  nine  o'clock  (leneral  Hancock  received  a  dispatch 
from  headquarters  saying,  'General  Wright  thinks  he  can 
carry  the  enemy's  main  line  if  he  is  relieved  by  attacks  of 
the  Second  and  Eighteenth  corps.  .  .  .  Wright  and 
Smith  are  both  going  to  try  again,  and,  unless  you  consider 
it  hopeless,  I  would  like  you  to  do  the  same4/ 

"General  Hancock  declining  the  responsibility  of  renew 
ing  the  attack,  Birnev's  division  was  detached  and  sent  to 

75  « 

the  right  to  support  General  Warren,  from  whence  it  did 
not  return  until  the  5th,  and  Kickett's  Pennsylvania  bat 
tery  was  detached  to  report  to  the  Eighteenth  Corps. 

''As  the  evening  came  on  a  furious  fire1  broke  out  along  the 
two  lines,  now  so  near  together  that  in  many  rases  no  pick 
ets  could  be  thrown  out.  This  was  supposed  to  indicate  an 
attempt,  by  an  unseen  enemy  to  carry  our  lines  in  the  dark 
with  a  rush.  The  Confederate  reports,  on  I  heir  part,  speak 


EDWARD  SHAW. 

Severely  wounded  at   battle  of  Gettysburg  July  3,    1863;    served  his  three 
years'  term  of  service,  and  was  mustered  out  June  18,   1864. 


1864.]  COLD  jHAuuou  357 

of  being  attacked  at  this  time,  from  which  it  is  fair  to  con 
clude  that  the  greatest  part  of  tlie  firing  was  done  from  the 
breastworks  on  either  side.  The  Second  Corps  entrench 
ments,  so  rapidly  constructed  under  heavy  tire,  at  an  almost 
incredibly  short  distance  from  the  Confederate  line,  had  by 
this  time  been  suiliciently  strengthened  to  make  them  as 
formidable  to  the  enemy  as  theirs  to  ns ;  and  in  this  critical 
and  painful  situation  the  two  armies  settled  down  to  watch 
each  other." 

That  night  Col.  .John  (i.  Hazard,  onr  chief  of  artillery, 
came  to  Captain  Arnold  and  told  him  to  take  his  battery  to 
an  advanced  position  more  to  the  right,  and  he  would  see 
that  the  engineers  built  us  a  good  breastwork.  We  started 
before  daylight  and  took  onr  position  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
Eighteenth  Corps,  but  found  no  entrenchments  of  any  kind 
ready  for  us,  and  onr  position  was  within  seventy  yards  of 
the  rebel  works.  Had  it  not  been  for  a  very  foggy  morning 
onr  battery  doubtless  would  have  been  subjected  to  a  ter 
rible  tire  from  the  enemy.  As  it  was  onr  guns  stood  there 
unprotected  until  some  of  the  infantry  came  and  threw 
up  some  works  in  front  of  their  own  position,  and  then  our 
guns  were  hauled  by  prolonge  into  the  works,  the  men  creep 
ing  out  and  hitching  on  the  rope. 

In  the  lighting  which  started  so  furiously  through  the 
evening,  Charles  \Y.  Lake,  one  of  our  old  members,  whose 
time  was  out  on  the  (>th,  was  seriously  wounded. 

The  morning  of  the  4th  found  the  troops  of  both  armies 
still  watching  each  other.  Shortly  after  getting  our  guns 
into  our  new  work.  Dow's  Sixth  Maine  Kattery  fired  a  sig 
nal  gun,  and  every  batter}'  in  our  line  opened  on  the  long 
lines  of  Confederate  works,  keeping  up  the  bombardment 
for  about  two  hours.  From  my  position,  behind  the  left 
gun,  .1  could  see  about  what  our  battery  was  doing,  and 
surely  there  was  some  line  gunnery  displayed  there.  To  the 
Avriter's  mind  this  was  the  great  secret  of  the  success  of  our 
batterv.  Throughout  its  three  vears'  term  of  service  it  al- 


358 


UATTKKY    A,    FIRST    R.    J.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [June, 


ways  handled  its  opponents  so  severely,  and  in  such  quick 
time,  that  it  protected  itself  by  its  own  good  gunnery;  and, 
in  fact,  this  was  always  credited  to  the  battery  by  all  the 
generals  who  commanded  in  the  Second  Corps,  and  we  had 
many  of  them.  I  never  could  understand  why  the  rebel  ar 
tillery  opened  so  furiously  as  they  did.  as  there  was  no 
charge  made  on  any  part  of  the  line,  and  there  was  no  harm 
done  to  their  works,  nor  would  there  have  been  if  we  had 
fired  for  a  week.  Sharpshooters  were  kept  steadily  at  their 
deadly  work  through  the  day,  and,  at  about  eight  o'clock 
i'.  M.,  the  enemy  opened  fire  again,  and  there  was  another 
artillery  duel  for  half  an  hour  or  a  little  more.  Patrick 
Murray,  of  our  battery,  was  wounded  during  the  fighting. 
At  no  time  of  the  day  was  it  safe  to  show  your  head  above 
the  breastwork. 

Sunday,  June  5th,  the  weather  was  clear  and  hot;  the 
night  was  one  of  the  worst  I  had  ever  experienced,  for  there 
were  our  poor  wounded  men  still  lying  between  the  lines, 
not  able  to  crawl,  yet  were  within  sight  and  sound  but  could 
not  be  secured.  All  that  could  creep  or  crawl  managed  to 
get  into  the  lines,  while  some  were  brought  in  by  their  com 
rades  at  the  risk  of  their  own  lives. 

It  was  understood  that  General  Lee  refused  permission 
for  our  troops  to  care  for  our  wounded.  We  were  greatly 
surprised  at  this  action,  for  we  could  not  believe  that  he 
would  be  so  inhuman.  He  might  have  had  in  mind  Antie- 
tam  and  other  battlefields,  where,  under  a  flag  of  truce 
(and  to  the  surprise  of  our  generals),  he  withdrew  his  army, 
and  perhaps  he  thought  there  might  be  something  to  be 
gained  by  thus  refusing  permission  to  remove  our  wounded 
from  the  field.  Sharpshooters  still  kept  up  their  fire  all 
day,  and  whenever  one  could  get  a  peep  over  our  breast 
works  it  was  a  queer  sight  to  see  line  after  line  of  the  works 
of  the  enemy,  and  not  a  sign  of  life  around  or  in  them,  un 
less  someone  exposed  himself;  then  you  would  see  puffs 
of  smoke  from  rifles  in  the  hands  of  our  men  who  were 
watching  with  intense  solicitude  the  rebels  in  their  front. 


1864.]  COLD    HARBOR  3;") 9 

Captain  Arnold  called  on  General  Hancock  that  day  and 
informed  him  that  our  time  Avas  out  and  that  we  desired  to 
be  relieved.  Shortly  after  Major  Hazard  came  with  orders 
that  we  were  to  be  relieved  by  Ames's  Xew  York  battery. 
We  held  our  position  until  after  dark,  when  we  received 
orders  to  limber  to  the  rear,  but.  as  soon  as  our  wheels  made 
a  noise  as  if  moving,  the  enemy  opened  fire  the  whole  length 
of  their  line;  the  gnus  were  run  back  and  our  men  returned 
their  lire  with  a  will,  and  for  half  an  hour  no  one  ever  saw 
handsomer  fireworks  than  were1  displayed  on  that  occasion. 
There  was  a  steady  blaze  of  artillery  and  musketry,  which, 
in  the  darkness,  made  a  brilliant  illumination,  as  the  main 
lines  of  battle  were  only  from  thirty  to  seventy  yards  apart, 
and  the  sheets  of  lead  and  iron  that  went  flying  through 
the  air  were  fearful  to  behold.  About  half  past  nine  we 
hitched  up  and  withdrew  without  any  more  trouble.  That 
(went  ended  our  three  years'  service,  and,  for  myself,  will 
say  that  1  had  passed  a  great  many  pleasant  hours  while  in 
the  service,  and  would  have  remained  until  the  close  of  the 
war  had  it  not  been  for  circumstances  which  at  this  late 
day  need  not  be  recounted  here. 

Then  the  men  who  were  going  home  moved  back  to  where 
our  caissons,  battery  wagon,  and  forge  were  located.  As 
we  left  our  position  at  the  front  the  men  of  the  different 
organizations  in  our  vicinity  cheered  us  and  bade  us  good- 
by,  as  our  battery  was  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  the  troops 
in  our  corps.  General  Hancock  expressed  himself  as  ex 
ceedingly  sorry  to  lose  one  of  the  best  batteries  under  his 
command. 

On  the  (>th  the  weather  was  clear  and  hot.  Captain  Ar 
nold,  who  was  to  return  home  with  the  discharged  men, 
turned  the  battery  over  to  Lieut.  Gamaliel  L.  D wight  (a 
former  corporal  of  our  battery),  who  had  been  appointed  to 
reorganize  and  continue  it  in  the  service.  Several  of  our 
non-commissioned  officers  who  had  never  received  their  war 
rants  went  to  Colonel  Tompkius's  quarters  to  obtain  them 


360 


BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LKiHT    ARTILLERY     [June, 


before  leaving  for  home.  We  were  under  fire  all  that  day. 
Towards  evening  our  cam])  was  changed,  vet  we  were  still 
exposed  to  the  shot  and  shell  of  the  enemy.  The  mortars 
of  both  contending  forces  kept  up  an  unremitting  fire  upon 
each  other.  There  is  one  peculiarity  about  these  shells  fired 
from  mortars,  you  never  know  where  they  are  going  to 
strike.  The  whizzing  and  screeching  noise  they  make  while 
flying  through  the  air  is  very  annoying  and  exceedingly  ex 
asperating  to  the  nerves.  Breastworks  do  not  afford  much 
protection  from  these  deadly  missiles.  Bomb-proofs  are 
the  only  adequate  means  of  defence  against  them.  A  num 
ber  of  the  rebel  shells  came  in  close  proximity  to  us  that 
day,  and  I  proposed  to  our  men  whose  time  was  out  that  we 
move  out  of  range,  but  no  one  paid  any  attention  to  my 
proposition,  and,  as  no  one  would  go  with  me,  we  remained 
one  more  night  under  fire. 

General  Grant  finding  it  impossible  to  turn  either  flank 
of  Lee's  army  or  to  break  his  lines,  cast  about  for  another 
entrance  into  the  Confederate  capital,  and  came  to  the  con 
clusion  that  to  cross  the  James  and  go  by  way  of  Peters 
burg,  which  controlled  the  communications  of  Richmond, 
with  the  main  country  of  the  Confederates,  was  the  better 
plan.  Accordingly,  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  to  be 
held  in  its  trenches  at  Cold  Harbor,  maintaining  all  active 
operations  until  the  way  could  be  clear  to  make  the  next 
move.  This  continued  until  the  night  of  the  12th,  when  the 
army  was  stealthily  withdrawn  from  the  trenches  and 
inarched  across  the  Chickahoininy. 

During  the  stay  at  Cold  Harbor  the  duty  was  exceedingly 
trying  to  the  troops  of  the  Second  Corps  which  lay  nearest 
the  enemy.  Through  all  those  long  and  weary  days  not  a 
man  in  the  corps  could  show  his  head  above  the  works  or 
move  about  within  fifty  yards  of  them,  to  the  rear,  without 
being  fired  upon.  In  order  to  relieve  or  supply  the  troops 
in  the  front  line,  trenches  had  to  be  dug  to  enable  the  men 
to  pass  back  and  forth  in  safety. 


18<>4.]  <T)LD    HAIMiOR  Sb'l 

General  Grant  in  his  Memoirs  says:  "I  have  always  re 
gretted  that  the  last  assault  at  Cold  Harbor  was  ever 
made."  This  is  the  only  sentence  the  Avriter  ever  found  in 
his  writings  where  he  said  that  lie  regretted  anything  he 
had  done  in  relation  to  army  movements.  In  regard  to  the 
Second  Corps  at  ('old  Harbor  the  writer  feels  justified  in  re 
ferring  io  the  melancholy  words  of  General  Morgan:  "The 
Second  Corps  here  received  a  mortal  blo\v,  and  never  again 
was  the  same  body  of  men."  He  then  goes  on  to  say  that 
between  tin1  Rapidan  and  the  Chickahominy.  a  period  of 
about  thirty  days,  the  losses  of  the  Second  Corps  had  aver 
aged  over  four  hundred  daily.  And  again  he  says:  "It 
was  not  in  numbers  only  that  the  loss  was  so  grievously 
felt.  Between  those1  rivers  the  corps  had  lost  terribly  in 
its  leaders;  the  men  whose  presence  and  example  were  worth 
many  thousand  men:  Mays.  Abbott.  Merriam,  Can-oil, 
Webb,  Brown.  Coons.  Tyler,  Byrnes,  Brooke,  Haskell, 
Mr-Keen,  McMahon,  Porter,  the  "Morrises,  and  many  other 
gallant  men  who  were  dead  or  lost  to  the  corps;  and,  though 
there  were  many  brave  and  efficient  officers  left,  the  places 
of  those  who  had  been  taken  conld  not  be  filled." 

Down  to  the  point  we  have  reached,  the  body  of  troops 
which  had  been  organized  by  (Jen.  Kdwin  A".  Snmner,  in 
March,  1S(J2,  had  made  a  record  for  itself  of  which  it  might 
justly  be  proud. 

General  Walker  has  well  said: 

k>Tt  had  wrested  twenty-five  cannon  from  the  enemy;  it 
had  lost  but  one  gun.  It  had  taken  more  than  eighty  flags 
in  battle;  it  had  yielded,  perhaps,  half  a  do/en  in  the  Wil 
derness,  at  Spottsylvania,  and  at  Cold  Harbor.  Its  "miss 
ing'  in  all  its  terrible  battles  had  been  about  five  thousand; 
it  had  captured  over  eleven  thousand  Confederates  in  action. 
It  had  not  been  more  impetuous  in  assault  than  steady,  en 
during,  and  resourceful  in  disaster  and  defeat.  In  the 
long  column  which  wound  its  way  in  the  darkness  out  of  the 
entrenchments  at  Cold  Harbor,  on  the  12th  of  •Tune,  1864, 


362 


BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    1.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [June,. 


and  took  the  road  to  the  Chickahominy,  little  remained  of 
the  divisions  that  had  crossed  that  river  on  the  Mist  of  Mav. 
1802,  to  the  rescue  of  the  broken  left  wing;  and  the  histo 
rian  feels  that  as  he  concludes  the  story  of  Cold  Harbor,  he 
is  in  a  sense,  writing  the  epitaph  of  the  Second  Corps." 

On  the  7th  the1  weather  in  the  morning  was  fine.  The  fo 
liage  and  the  blossoms  on  the  trees  in  Virginia  at  that  sea 
son  are  luxuriant  and  beautiful.  The  original  members  of 
the  battery  who  were  to  be  discharged  turned  in  all  prop 
erty  belonging  to  the  government.  While  this  was  going" 
on  shot  and  shell  from  the  enemy's  batteries  and  mortars 
were  flying  all  around  us.  I  said  to  the  men  who  were  go 
ing  home:  "Boys,  my  time  is  out,  there  is  no  reason  for  us 
to  stay  here  where  we  cannot  do  any  good,  and  take  chances 
to  get  killed  or  wounded.  I  am  going  out  of  range."  I 
then  walked  up  a  short  distance  to  a  negro  cabin  sur 
rounded  by  peach  trees  in  bloom,  which  presented  a  neat  ap 
pearance,  and,  within  twenty  minutes,  all  the  members 
whose  term  of  service  had  expired  came  up  where  I  was. 
We  went  into  camp  in  some  woods  about  one  mile  to  the 
rear.  AYhile  there  was  cause  for  rejoicing  on  the  part  of 
those  Avho  had  completed  an  honorable  term  of  service,  and 
were  going  home,  yet,  to  me,  the  rejoicing  was  tinged  with 
sadness  when  I  realized  that,  although  Lee  had  at  last  al 
lowed  our  men  under  a  flag  of  truce  to  bury  our  dead  and 
bring  in  our  wounded  from  his  lines,  who  had  lain  there  for 
five  days,  yet  it  did  not  seem  possible  that  any  of  them 
could  live  with  such  terrible  wounds  and  such  exposure  as- 
they  had  been  subjected  to. 

General  Morgan  says:  ''Better  the  consuming  fires  of 
the  Wilderness  or  the  Po  than  the  lingering,  agonizing  death 
of  these  poor  men,  whose  vain  calls  for  relief  smote  upon 
the  ears  of  their  comrades  at  every  lull  in  the  firing.  One 
man  who  Avas  brought  into  our  lines  had  survived  the  dread 
ful  ordeal,  and  his  accounts  of  his  sufferings,  how  he  had 
quenched  his  thirst  by  sucking  the  dew  from  such  grass  as 


1804.]  COLD    HARBOR  3H3 

he  could  pull  at  his  side,  and  had  allayed  the  pangs  of 
hunger  in  the  same  way,  were  not  well  calculated  to  en 
courage  his  comrades  to  run  any  risk  of  being  placed  in  the 
same  position." 

Badeau  seeks  to  throw  the  responsibility  for  this  delay 
upon  General  Lee.  After  the  cessation  of  hostilities  for 
two  hours,  from  six  to  eight  P.  M..  which  was  the  time  al 
lowed  to  remove  the  wonnded  and  bury  the  dead,  the  rebels 
opened  with  their  artillery,  as  they  had  been  doing  every 
night,  and  any  one  in  rear  of  the  lines  was  as  liable  to  be 
hit  as  were  those  who  were  on  the  front  line.  General  Han 
cock's  tent  was  riddled  by  bullets;  ('apt.  Alexander  M.  Me 
Cnne,  Seventy-fourth  New  York,  was  killed  by  a  solid  shot 
at  the  door  of  General  Hancock's  tent.  Fortunately  those 
of  us  whose  term  of  service  had  expired  were  out  of  the 
range  of  the  enemy's  guns. 

The  losses  of  the  corps  from  the  2d  to  the  12th  of  June 
were:  Killed.  41)4;  wounded.  2.442;  missing.  .174;  total, 
3,510. 


3()4  MATTERY    A,    FIRST    II.    I.    LKJHT    ARTILLERY      [June, 


CHAPTER  XXII 

RKTTUN    HOME  OF  TIIK   VETERANS. 

WK1  )\I]SI  )A  Y,  .June  Stli,  was  a  day  ever  to  be  re 
membered  by  the  members  of  Battery  A,  First 
Rhode  Island  Light  Artillery,  who  had  served 
their  country  faithfully  for  three  long  years.  At  the  break 
of  day  the  original  members  of  the  battery  assembled  at  the 
cam}*  of  IJaltery  A.  and  put  their  luggage  on  board  of  a 
mule  wagon  thai  had  been  procured  for  us.  Unfortunately 
for  myself  some  person  during  the  night  had  stolen  my 
knapsack,  containing  a  new  suit  of  clothes,  and  a  pair  of 
shoes  never  worn,  which  I  had  purchased  for  the  purpose  of 
making  a  presentable  appearance  on  my  arrival  home.  I 
sat  up  until  a  late  hour  writing  in  my  diary,  or  I  should 
have  lost  that  also.  Therefore  I  had  no  luggage  to  be  trans 
ported.  1  consoled  myself  with  the  thought  that  T  still  re 
tained  my  diary. 

We  left  Cold  Harbor  about  seven  o'clock  for  White  House 
Landing,  a  distance  of  fifteen  miles,  which  we  (raveled  with 
light  hearts,  arriving  at  our  destination  about  two  o'clock, 
and  for  once  in  the  history  of  the  battery,  had  the  good  for 
tune  to  find  the  propeller  '\ew  Jerttey  all  ready  to  leave. 
We  went  on  board,  and  at  four  o'clock  started  down  the 
J'aniunkey  River,  going  as  far  as  West  Point,  where  we 
dropped  anchor  about  nine  o'clock.  I  was  very  tired,  yet  T 
had  no  inclination  to  sleep,  as  the  great  and  sudden  change 
which  had  taken  place  in  my  condition  from  a  soldier  to  a 
citixen  and  a  freeman,  precluded  all  disposition  to  slumber. 

On  the  ihh  the  weather  was  line,  though  hot.  The  New 
Jersey  got  under  way  about  five  o'clock,  and  steamed  down 
the  York  River,  which,  to  me,  appeared  to  be  the  most 


1864.]  WASHINGTON  365 

charming  one  I  liad  ever  seen,  except  Providence  River. 
We  passed  Yorktown,  Gloucester  Point,  and  steaming  out 
through  the  Chesapeake  Hay  and  up  the  Potomac  River, 
dropped  anchor  about  twenty  miles  below  Acquia  Creek. 

On  the  10th  the  weather  was  clear  and  warm.  The  Xew 
Jcrxcy  continued  her  voyage,  starting  about  five  o'clock,  and 
steamed  np  the  Potomac.  The  men  of  the  battery  stayed 
below  cleaning  np  and  putting  on  their  new  clothes  which 
they  had  saved  for  their  home  coming.  When  they  came  on 
deck  the  captain  and  crew  did  not  recognize  them,  their  new 
clothing  having  completely  transformed  them,  and  they 
made  a  very  presentable  appearance.  It  was  a  great  disap 
pointment  to  me  that  my  new  suit  had  been  stolen,  which 
prevented  me  from  arraying  myself  in  an  attire  similar  to 
my  comrades.  About  three  o'clock  the  boat  put  into  (loose- 
berry  Point,  left  the  horses  and  mules  there  and  then  ran 
np  to  Washington  to  the  foot  of  Sixth  Street,  from  which 
we  marched  1o  the  barracks  of  the  Soldiers'  Home,  where 
we  were  to  stop  all  night. 

On  the  llth  the  weather  was  fine  and  quite  hot.  We 
were  np  early,  and  some  of  the  boys  made  trips  in  and 
around  Washington.  Senator  William  Sprague  came  to 
the  barracks,  and.  before  he  left,  treated  the  men  to  cigars. 
lie  did  not  have  much  to  say  to  us.  however,  but  congratu 
lated  us  on  our  good  fortune  in  having  passed  through  the 
hardships  and  perils  of  war  and  returning  home  in  com 
paratively  good  health.  We  then  took  our  departure  from 
Washington,  passing  through  llaltimore.  Wilmington,  and 
Philadelphia,  and  arrived  in  New  York  about  eleven  o'clock, 
and  were  quarlered  in  the  Park  barracks,  not  far  from  the 
city  hall  and  post  office,  'flu1  trip  lired  me  more  than  it 
would  to  have  marched  all  day.  The  home  guards  at  the 
barracks  were  the  worst  lot  of  men  we  had  ever  met.  They 
had  no  great  liking  for  soldiers  coming  from  the  front,  and, 
by  appearances,  it  looked  as  though  if  we  had  had  any 
monev  thev  would  have  been  glad  to  have  relieved  us  of  it. 


BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R,    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [June, 

On  the  1-th  the  weather  was  fine.  We  arose  at  an  early 
hour,  and  had  liberty  to  go  where  we  pleased  until  five 
o'clock,  when  we  were  to  take  a  train  for  Providence.  As 
I  had  no  money  I  did  not  care  to  go  a  great  ways,  but  looked 
around  a  little.  It  was  a  long  day  to  me.  At  five  o'clock 
that  afternoon  we  marched  to  Madison  Square  and  took  the 
train  for  Providence..  We  crossed  the  Connecticut  liiver 
from  Saybrook  to  Lime  on  a  ferry-boat.  There  was 
a  lunch  counter  on  the  boat,  and  I  espied  David  Fales,  of 
Central  Falls,  of  the  firm  of  Fales  &  Jenks,  partaking  of  a 
light  repast.  I  spoke  to  him  and  he  was  glad  to  sec4  me,  and 
said,  "Will  you  have  a  bile  to  eat?"  T  thanked  him,  and  he 
said,  "Help  yourself.''  About  a  dozen  of  our  men  who  stood 
near  also  helped  themselves  at  Mr.  Fales's  expense,  and  it 
appeared  to  be  a  pleasure  for  him  to  foot  the  bill.  We  pro 
ceeded  to  New  London,  arriving  there  on  time.  After 
crossing  the  Thames  River  at  that  place,  and  as  we  wrere 
about  to  take  the  train,  we  learned  that  the  engine  had  met 
with  a  mishap  and  had  become  disabled.  >Ye  were  there 
fore  obliged  to  wait  a  long  time  for  another  engine  to  take 
its  place. 

On  the  13th  the  weather  was  fine.  Just  before  daylight 
an  engine  appeared,  was  hitched  onto  the  train,  the  con 
ductor  called  out  "All  aboard,"  and  we  started  for  Provi 
dence.  We  left  New  London  about  daylight,  and  nearly  all 
of  the  soldiers  slept  on  the  way  to  that  city.  I  did  not 
awake  until  I  heard  some  one  call  "Olneyville,"  when  1  was 
on  my  feet  in  an  instant,  and  said,  "Where?''  I  then  fully 
realized  the  fact  that  1  was  Hearing  home.  It  seemed  to 
me  as  if  I  were  still  in  the  army,  and  that  we  were  moving 
from  place  to  place.  But  the  thought  that  Providence; 
would  soon  be  reached  came  suddenly  to  my  mind,  and  it  ap 
peared  to  me  as  if  the  train  could  not  go  fast  enough.  I  be 
gan  to  conjecture  where  1  could  go  when  I  arrived  in  that 
city,  not  expecting  to  see  any  of  my  relatives  at  the- depot. 
What  a  sight  met  our  vie\v  as  our  train  ran  into  the  station. 
Exchange  Place  was  packed  with  people.  About  the  first 


WILLIAM  C.  DORE. 

He  was  mustered  in  Aug.  13,  1861  ;  he  with  Charles  V.  Scott  performed  a  very  daring  feat  at 
Point  of  Rocks,  Md.,  by  volunteering  their  services  to  swim  the  Potomac  River,  in  full  view 
of  the  enemy  and  at  easy  range.  They  successfully  crossed  the  river  and  returned  unharmed, 
after  having  secured  a  skiff  which  was  the  object  of  their  going  upon  their  perilous  mission.  He 
was  mustered  out  Oct.  12,  1864,  in  front  of  Petersburg,  Va. 


1864.]  PROVIDENCE,    H.    I.  367 

person  1  met  was  my  sister,  and  she  appeared  to  be  over 
come  with  joy  at  meeting  me.  The  captain  endeavored  to 
form  the  men  into  line,  but  it  was  of  no  use.  Husbands, 
wives,  brothers,  sisters,  and  sweethearts  were  embracing 
each  other,  so  overjoyed  were  they  to  meet  again.  While  I 
was  surveying  this  animated  scene  I  was  nearly  taken  off 
my  feet;  three  or  four  of  my  friends  had  surrounded  me. 
My  father  and  sister  were  among  the  number.  The  captain 
finally  ordered  us  to  report  at  the  Marine  Artillery  Armory 
at  eleven  o'clock  the  next  day,  and  we  then  dispersed.  The 
Marine  Corps  of  Artillery  was  firing  a  salute,  and  every 
body  seemed  crazy  with  excitement.  The  Second  Rhode  Is 
land  Regiment  had  just,  returned  home,  only  two  days  be 
fore,  and  had  had  a  grand  reception.  The  people  had  been 
waiting  for  us  at  the  station  all  night,  the  break-down  of 
the  engine  at  »w  London  causing  the  delay  in  our  arrival. 
Some  of  the  men  of  the  battery  went  to  the  Marine  Artillery 
Armory  and  had  a  collation.  I  was  so  delighted  at  the 
thought  of  my  safe  arrival  in  ''Little  Rhody"  that  I  hardly 
knew  how  to  act.  I  finally  went  home  with  my  relatives, 
rejoicing  in  the  fact  that  I  was  a  free  man  again,  and  that 
war's  rude  alarms  would  no  longer  disturb  me. 

On  the  14th  the  weather  was  fair  and  warm.  At  eleven 
o'clock  we  reported  at  the  Armory,  and  were  ordered  to 
meet  at  Railroad  Hall  on  the  18th,  when  we  would  be  mus 
tered  out.  We  also  received  an  invitation  to  a  banquet  to  be 
given  at  the  City  Hotel  by  prominent  citizens  who  had  held 
our  battery  in  high  esteem,  and  whose  interest  in  its  wel 
fare  had  been  unabated  throughout  its  long  and  honorable 
career. 

On  Wednesday  evening,  June  15th,  the  company  went  to 
the  City  Hotel,  where  three  long  tables  were  well  filled  and 
it  was  an  inspiring  sight.  Hon.  Thomas  A.  Doyle,  mayor 
of  the  city,  presided.  Among;  the  guests  were  Lieut. -Gov. 
8eth  1'adelford,  Hon.  .Vinos  C.  Barstow,  Earl  P.  Mason. 
Esq.,  Hon.  William  M.  Rodman,  Rev.  Augustus  Woodbury, 


368  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [June, 

Adjt.-Gen.  Edward  P.  Mauran,  Maj.-Gen.  Gluey  Arnold, 
Gen.  riiarles  T.  Bobbins,  Gen.  Joseph  I*.  Balch,  Pol.  Henry 
T.  Sisson,  Pol.  S.  B.  M.  Reed,  Lieut.-Pol.  Henry  F.  Jenks, 
Maj.  Stephen  IT.  Brown,  and  various  other  gentlemen  of 
distinction  in  civil  and  military  life.  The  American  Band, 
with  its  old  leader,  Joseph  P.  Greene,  was  in  attendance,  and 
its  music  formed  an  agreeable  part  of  the  entertainment. 
A  graceful  address  of  welcome  was  made  by  Mayor  Doyle, 
which  was  responded  to  by  Paptain  Arnold.  Sentiments 
were  offered  and  brief  speeches  were  made  by  Lient.-Gov. 
Seth  Padelford,  Lieutenant  Wh Reside,  of  the  United  States 
Army,  Rev.  Augustus  Woodbury,  Pol.  William  H.  Reynolds 
(the  first  commander  of  the  battery).  Hon.  Amos  P.  Bar- 
stow,  Papt.  De  la  Mesa,  of  the  United  States  Veteran  Re 
serve  Porps,  Lieutenant  Ramsey,  of  the  United  States  Ord 
nance  Porps,  George  W.  Danielson,  Esq.,  Pol.  Nicholas  Van 
Slvck,  Generals  Mauran,  Arnold,  Balch,  and  Bobbins,  Dr. 
Pharles  G.  McKnight  (first  surgeon  of  the  battery),  Papt. 
Charles  D.  Owen,  Caesar  A.  Updike,  Esq.,  Pols.  Sisson  and 
Frank  Allen.  Patriotic  songs  were  sung,  four  of  our  bat 
tery  forming  a  quartette  led  by  Pharles  Podding,  who  de 
lighted  the  audience  Avith  several  numbers,  including  a  song, 
by  request,  entitled  "My  Bonny  Black  Bess,''  which  had 
been  a  favorite  in  the  battery  from  its  organization.  Cheers 
were  given  for  Governor  Sprague  and  General  Burnside, 
and  at  a  late  hour  the  company  separated. 

On  the  IGtli  and  17th  we  went  where1  we  pleased,  but  on 
Saturday,  the  18th  of  June,  1804,  Battery  A  met  for  the 
last  time  at  Railroad  Hall  in  the  old  depot  at  Providence  to 
be  mustered  out.  We  were  paid  in  full,  including  our  one 
hundred  dollars  bounty.  Thus  ended  my  career  as  a  sol 
dier,  and  for  which  I  must  say  I  feel  proud,  having  passed 
through  three  years'  service,  and  through  nearly  all  the  bat 
tles  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  was  never  wounded 
nor  reported  sick,  and  experienced  all  the  vicissitudes  and 
hardships  incidental  to  a  soldier's  life. 


1864. 


PROVIDENCE,    R.    I. 


309 


On  Monday.  June  iMIth,  the  remains  of  Lieut.  Peter  Hunt, 
who  had  died  in  Washington,  D.  0.,  of  wounds  received  at 
the  battle  of  Swift  ("reek,  were  brought  to  Providence, 
where  an  impressive  service  was  held  in  the  Central  Congre 
gational  Church.  About  thirty  of  the  original  men  of  the 
battery,  who  had  recently  returned  home  after  their  three 
years'  service  (myself  included),  attended  the  funeral. 
His  remains  were  interred  in  the  family  bury  ing-ground  at 
Seekonk.  .Mass,  now  Rumford,  R.  1. 


The  following  are  the  original  members  of  the  battery 
who  were  mustered  in  .June  (5.  18(51.  returned  home  and  were 
mustered  out  .June  18,  18<U  : 


A  1<1  rich.   Thomas  M. 
Aldrirh.    Stephen    W. 

nrker.    William   C. 

ennett,    .Henry    IF. 

ontems,   Charles   E. 

rooks.   Joseph   E. 

yrne.  (ieorge, 
Cnldor.   Wesley  B. 
Carter,    Frank 
Chester,  George  X. 
Codding.  Charles  I). 
Collins,    Timothy 
Crandall.  Henry  R. 
Dickerson.   Joseph   C. 
Drape.   William 
(Jardner.   James 


(loogins,    Eugene 
(li-adv,    Michael 
(Jreene.    Stephen   M. 
Greenleaf,    (Jeorge    J. 
Griffin.  John 
lln wkins,   Albert 
Hines.  Joseph  E. 
Humphreys.  Preston  A. 
Irons,    Lewis   W. 
Lake.   Charles  W. 
Lewis.   James 
Lynott.  John 
Mil i nes.    Alexander 
MrDonough.   John 
McKav.  John  W. 


Morrison.  William 
Xavin.    John 
Page.   Alexander   K. 
Pearce,  Dexter  1"). 
Rayuor.   llohert 
Itoiclnii'dt,  Theodore 
Kowbottom.  riobert 
Shaw,   Edward 
Slocum.   George   L. 
Thom])son.  John  !->. 
Thornley,    I  tie-hard 
Towle.   Augustus    S. 
Wale*.   Joseph   W. 
Walsh.    John 
Wild.    John 


XOTK. — Of  tlio  above,  Stephen  W.  Aldrich  was  promoted  corporal :  Henry  H.  Uennett, 
promoted  corporal :  Joseph  E.  Brooks,  wounded  at  Bull  Run  and  taken  prisoner:  Wes 
ley  B.  ('alder,  promoted  corporal ;  William  Drape,  promoted  corporal ;  James  (Jardner, 
wounded  in  action  at  Auburn ;  promoted  corporal ;  Stephen M.  Greene,  promoted  cor 
poral ;  sergeant;  (Jeorge  J.  Greenleaf,  promoted  corporal ;  quartermaster  sergeant: 
Gilbert  Harrison,  wounded  at  battle  of  Gettysburg,  Pa.;  Lewis  W.  Irons, on  detached 
duty  as  commissary  sergeant ;  Charles  W.  Lake,  wounded  at  Cold  Harbor;  John  Mc- 
Donough,  promoted  corporal:  .John  Naviu,  corporal;  sergeant;  Robert  Raynor, 
wounded  at  battle  of  Antietam:  promoted  corporal ;  Theodore  Reichardt,  wounded 
at  Auburn;  promoted  corporal:  Robert  Rowbottom,  promoted  corporal:  sergeant: 
Edward  Shaw,  wounded  at  Gettysburg;  John  B.  Thompson,  promoted  corporal;  ser 
geant;  first  sergeant :  Richard  Thornley,  promoted  corporal :  Augustus  S.  Towle,  pro 
moted  corporal :  sergeant:  Joseph  W.  Wales,  wounded. 

L'4 


370  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    It.    I.    LIGHT    AKTI'LLKliY      [June, 

Attaclied  men  from  the  Second  Rhode  Island  Infantry 
who  were  mustered  in  with  that  regiment,  afterwards  trans 
ferred  to  Battery  A,  returned  with  it  to  Rhode  Island,  and 
were  mustered  out  June  IS,  1SG4 : 

Leach,  John  F.  Pierce,  George  S.  Wilcox,  James  E. 

MeConnell,    John  Snow.  Horatio  B. 

The  following1  is  a  summary  of  the  original  members  of 
the  battery  who  died  of  disease,  were  killed,  wounded,  dis 
charged  for  disability,  re-enlisted,  transferred,  promoted, 
deserted,  and  dropped  from  the  rolls: 

Killed    ° 

Discharged    for   wounds I-1 

Promoted     -0 

Transferred     !'•' 

Died  of  disease 1 

Discharged   for  disability •>>:> 

Re-enlisted     - 

Deserted     •-' 


102 
I  )ropped   from  rolls ^ 


Returned  home  with   the  battery 

Total .  . 


XoTK.—  Capt.  William  A.  Arnold,  although  not  one  of  our  original  members,  re 
turned  home  with  the  battery  and  was  mustered  out  with  it. 

The  battery  while  on  the  Dexter  Training  Ground,  June  6,  18(11,  at  roll  call,  mus 
tered  150  men  and  five  commissioned  officers,  and  I  have  shown  in  the  summary 
above  what  became  of  them.  The  men  who  were  discharged  or  dropped  from  the 
rolls  from  different  causes  are  as  follows:  William  F.  I'eck  and  John  F.  Watson 
were  discharged  at  the  request  of  their  relatives  at  Providence,  U.  T. ;  Calvin  Fletcher. 
Thomas  Flood,  William  J.  Grcenhalgh,  John  Griffin,  -Jd,  and  John  Whalen  were  dis 
charged  at  Camp  Clark,  Washington,  D.  C.,  as  unfit  to  continue  in  the  service ;  Henry 
H.  Stewart  was  mustered  in  with  the  battery  at  Providence,  June  (>,  1861,  but  there  is 
110  record  of  his  service,  and,  strange  to  say,  he  appeared  at  Providence  June  5.  18G4 , 
and  was  mustered  out. 


1804.]  REORGANIZATION    OF    THE    15ATTEUY  371 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

REORGANIZATION  OF  THE  BATTERY  AND  ITS  Srr.sEQrEXT  CON 
SOLIDATION  WITH  BATTERY  B. 

AS  lias  already  been  mentioned,  after  the  departure  for 
home  of  the  original  members  of  Battery  A,  it  was 
reorganized,  and  about  fifty  men.  including  recruits, 
continued  in  the  field.  To  these  mnst  be  added  the  attached 
men  from  several  infantry  regiments  of  the  army.  The 
task  of  reorganizing  the  battery  devolved  upon  First  Lieut. 
Gamaliel  L.  Dwight,  who  was  well  fitted  for  the  position. 
In  a  few  days  it  was  ready  for  active1  service  at  the  front. 
It  was  assigned  to  the  Third  Division  (Birney's),  Second 
Corps. 

On  June  10th  and  12th  it  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Told  Harbor. 

On  the  night  of  the  1.2th  the  Second  Corps  crossed  the 
Chickahominy,  marching  as  far  as  Wileox's  Landing  on  the 
James  River. 

On  the  loth  it  went  into  bivouac  after  a  tedious  march, 
and,  on  the  14th.  the  corps  crossed  the  James  River  to  Wind 
mill  Point  as  soon  as  boats  could  be  obtained.  The  opera 
tion  was  long  and  tedious,  but  by  four  A.  M.  of  the  15tli, 
Hancock  had  got  all  his  infantry  and  four  of  his  batteries 
over,  Battery  A  being  the  first  to  cross,  and  fired  the  first 
shot  into  Petersburg.  Up  to  this  time  it  is  said  by  some  of 
the  best  writers  that  the  movement  from  Cold  Harbor  to  the 
James  River  between  the  12th  and  10th  of  June,  was  dis 
tinctly  the  finest  thing  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  had  ever 
accomplished. 

In  the  action  before  "Petersburg  .June  lOtli  and  17th  Bat 
tery  A  was  hotly  engaged  throughout  the  fight,  and  Lieu- 


372  r.ATTERV    A,    FIRST    II.    I.    LHJHT    ARTILLERY     [June, 

tenant  Dwight  received  the  official  thanks  of  the  major-gen 
eral  commanding  for  the  handsome  manner  in  which  lie 
placed  his  battery  and  drove  the  enemy  from  the  field.  Af 
ter  silencing  ihe  enemy's  guns  it  entrenched  itself  in  its  po 
sition,  which  it  held  during  the  day.  Early  on  the  follow 
ing  morning  General  Barlow  ordered  the  battery  moved  to 
the  front  and  right,  where  the  lieutenant  received  the  gen 
eral's  thanks  in  person  for  the  effective  service  performed. 

On  July  17th  Lieut.  Gamaliel  L.  Dwight  was  mustered 
out  of  service  at  Providence,  K.  I.,  by  order  dated  July  7. 
18(>4.  On  the  .same  date  (July  7th).  First.  Lieut.  William 
S.  Pen-in  of  1  lattery  II.  was  ordered  to  take  command  of 
1  lattery  A. 

On  the  llth  of  August  the  Second  Corps  received  orders 
to  undertake1  another  movement  across  the  James  Kiver. 
On  arriving  at  Dee])  Bottom  it  was  to  be  joined  by  Birney's 
Tenth  Corps  and  Gregg's  cavalry,  all  under  Hancock. 

On  August  1-th  another  detachment  from  I  lattery  A 
whose  time  had  expired  were1  mustered  out  in  front  of  Pe 
tersburg  the  day  before  the  Second  Corps  started  on  its  sec 
ond  trip  to  Dee])  llottom.  The  original  members  of  Bat- 
tery  II  were  also  mustered  out  on  that  day,  and  the  remain 
ing  men  of  llattery  A  were  transferred  to  I  lattery  B.  The 
men  of  llattery  A  whose1  term  of  service  expired  on  the  12th 
of  August,  1S(>4,  were  seven  in  all,  namely,  Walter  Arnold, 
George  Bray,  William  C.  Dore,  William  Knight.  George 
Lewis,  James  Mauran,  and  John  Tyng.  Together  with  the 
remaining  members  of  llattery  A  who  were  transferred  to 
Battery  B  were  the  attached  men,  which  gave  the  latter 
battery  a  sufficient  number  of  men  to  continue  its  organ 
i /at  ion. 

About  six  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  the  ll!th  of  August 
Batteries  A  and  B  combined  under  Capt.  T.  Fred  Brown, 
broke  cam])  and  proceeded  north  on  its  way  to  Deep  llot 
tom.  the  discharged  men  of  A  and  B  going  with  the  battery, 
marching  all  night  and  halting  about  three  A  M.,  the  next 


38(14.]  DEEP    BOTTOM 

morning  on  the  road  to  City  Point,  near  the  James  River, 
where  they  wen1  into  camp  for  a  few  hours'  rest.  Soon  af 
ter  sunrise  the  discharged  nten  look  leave  of  the  battery  and 
resumed  their  march  to  City  Point,  where  they  took  the 
mail  boat  Clmrlcx  }'(rn<li'rl>nt  bound  for  AVashiiigton,  and 
where,  on  the  l.lth,  tliey  received  their  pay,  including  bounty 
and  mileage. 

They  left  Washington  on  the  15th.  at  six  p.  M..  and  ar 
rived  at  Providence  on  the  morning  of  the  17th,  where  they 
were  given  a  reception  by  the  governor.  -lames  Y.  Smith, 
and.  escorted  by  the  Mechanic  Kitles.  marched  to  the  Marine 
Armory  on  Benefit  Street,  where  they  were  welcomed  by 
Lteut.-CJov.  Seth  Padelford,  (ien.  William  W.  Paine,  and 
others.  They  then  partook  of  a  bountiful  collation,  after 
which  the  men  dispersed  to  their  homes. 

Let  ns  now  return  to  the  combined  battery  A  and  P>  which 
we  left  at  Jones's  Neck,  where1  it  was  encamped  with  other 
batteries  of  the  brigade  on  the  morning  of  the  l.'tth,  await- 
in  jr  the  arrival  of  the  infantry  which  had  "-one  to  City  Point' 
and  taken  transports  in  order  to  give  the  enemy  the  impres- 
sion  that  they  were  going  to  Washington  under  cover  of  the 
night.  However,  their  object  was  to  return  np  the  James 
(sixteen  miles  above1  City  Point  I  there  make1  a  landing  near 
Deep  Bottom,  and.  after  rapidly  debarking,  press  np  the 
several  roads  to  Richmond,  thus  making  the  second  attempt 
to  tnrn  the  enemy's  line  on  Bailey's  Creek.  As  the  column 
moved  from  the  landing  they  passed  between  men  on  botli 
sides  of  the  road  lying  dead  from  sunstroke;  and.  before 
noon,  one  division  commander  reported  that  in  two  of  his 
regiments  over  a  hundred  men  had  been  overcome  by  the 
heat,  <  ili-anl's  orders  had  been  issued  under  the  impression 
that  the  Confederate  line  had  been  depleted  by  dispatching 
three  divisions  of  infantry  and  one  of  cavalry  to  re-enforce 
Early  in  the  Valley  of  Virginia,  where  he  was  opposed  by 
Sheridan  with  the  Eighth  and  Nineteenth  Corps  together 
with  the  Sixth  Corps  which  had  been  withdrawn  from  the 


874  BATTlvRV    A,    FIRST    R.     I.     L1CHT    ARTILLERY     [Aug., 

Army  of  the  Potomac.  Grant's  information  was  erroneous, 
for  when  our  troops  advanced  to  the  familiar  line  of  Bailey's 
Creek  the  works  were  found  fully  manned;  and,  when  Bar 
low  about  four  o'clock  with  his  division  and  that  of  Gib 
bon  now  under  command  of  Gen.  Thomas  A.  Smyth,  de 
livered  an  attack  near  Fussell's  Mill,  lie  was  easily  beaten 
off.  It  must  be  said  in  sorrow  for  the  Second  Corps,  that 
only  one  brigade — that  commanded  by  Col.  George  N.  Macy. 
of  Massachusetts — did  anything  like  its  full  duty.  When 
we  have  to  record  that  the  troops  most  at  fault  were  the 
Irish  brigade  and  Brooke's  old  brigade,  both  of  which  had 
made  themselves  famous  with  a  long  and  glorious  career, 
it  will  give  the  reader  some  idea  to  what  condition  the  army 
had  been  reduced  by  three  months  of  desperate  fighting. 
For  six  days  Hancock  remained  on  the  north  bank  of  the 
James  trying  here  and  there  on  the  enemy's  lines  to  seek  a 
weak  spot  by  which  he  might  turn  their  Hank.  Several  ac 
tions,  resulted,  in  one  of  which  the  Tenth  Corps  displayed 
great  gallantry  while  sustaining  heavy  losses.  Gregg's  cav 
alry  fought  the  enemy  on  Deep  Creek  supported  by  Miles's 
brigade,  gaining  great  credit  for  both  commands. 

During  this  trip  of  the  Second  Corps  to  Dee])  Bottom 
Batteries  A  and  B  now  acting  together,  lay  at  Jones's  Neck. 
Lieut.  -John  T.  Blake  of  Battery  A,  was  assigned  to  the  left 
section.  The  whole  number  of  men  reported  to  Captain 
Brown  at  this  time,  including  veterans,  recruits,  and  at 
tached  men,  was  sixty.  The  battery  remained  at  Jones's 
Xeck  until  the  22d,  reorganizing  and  assigning  the  men  to 
their  new  positions. 

On  the  18th  William  S.  IVrrin,  the  senior  first  lieutenant 
of  Battery  B.  who  had  been  since  .July  7th  in  temporary 
command  of  .Battery  A,  was  relieved  and  returned  to  Bat 
tery  B  for  duty.  On  the  1.9th  Lieut.  John  T.  Blake,  at  his 
own  request,  was  mustered  out  of  service. 

OM  the  _M)th  it  rained  very  hard,  chilling  the  air,  which 
was  very  refreshing  and  much  needed.  Captain  Brown  re- 


1864.]  PETERSBURG  375 

ceived  orders  to  move,  and,  at  sunset,  the  battery  broke 
camp  and  marched  back  in  the  rear  of  Petersburg  to  its  old 
camp,  arriving  there  between  nine  and  ten  o'clock. 

On  the  21st,  Sunday,  about  nine  o'clock,  the  battery 
marched  to  near  Second  Division  headquarters  and  parked 
with  the  artillery  brigade  which  was  here  masked  awaiting 
orders.  Maj.  John  G.  Hazard  returned  from  Rhode  Island 
and  resumed  command  of  the  artillery  brigade.  He 
brought  with  him  four  recruits  for  Battery  B,  Joseph 
Fisher,  Samuel  H.  Greene,  Patrick  Kelly,  and  Charles 
Stephens. 

On  the  '2'2d,  at  sunrise,  the  infantry  was  on  the  move 
early.  At  O..SO  "boots  and  saddle  call"  was  sounded,  the 
battery  moving  out  on  the  road  and  taking  up  the  march 
with  the  artillery  brigade  to  the  left.  After  passing  the 
Jones  house  on  the  Jerusalem  Plank  road  it  went  into  park 
on  the  right  of  the  road.  There  Oapt.  T.  Fred  Brown  left 
his  command,  having  been  ordered  home  on  recruiting  ser 
vice.  First  Lieut.  AVilliam  S.  Pen-in  then  assumed  com 
mand  of  the  battery. 

On  the  L'.'M  the  battery  held  inspection  under  Lieutenant 
Perrin,  the  right  section  under  Lieut.  James  1'].  Chace,  and 
the  left  section  under  Lieut.  Gideon  Spencer.  In  the  after 
noon  the  battery  received  marching  orders  from  General 
Gibbon  to  follow  his  division  when  it  should  move.  Em 
bodied  in  this  order  were  instructions  to  have  all  corps  or 
state  insignia  removed  from  hats,  caps,  and  clothing,  so,  if 
captured  the  enemy  could  not  tell  to  which  corps  the  pris 
oner  belonged;  also  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  learning 
that  the  Second  Torps  was  down  on  the  left  of  the  line  in 
stead  of  being  up  on  the  right  in  the  entrenchments  in  front 
of  Petersburg. 

At  six  o'clock  in  the  evening  the  battery  started  down  the 
Jerusalem  Plank  road.  On  its  arrival  at  Shay's  Tavern  the 
column  turned  to  the  right  and  moved  toward  the  Weldon 
Railroad.  At  ten  o'clock  that  evening  the  battery  halted 


376  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Aug., 

and  went  into  park.  Lieutenant  Perrin  received  orders  at 
midnight  to  move  to  Reams's  Station  (twelve  miles  south 
of  Petersburg')  and  report  to  General  Miles  commanding 
the  First  Division.  The  battery  had  not  gone  far  before 
its  progress  was  retarded  by  fallen  trees  which  blocked  the 
way.  placed  there  by  the  enemy.  After  a  time  the  obstruc 
tions  were  removed,  the  battery  proceeding  on  its  way  to 
the  station,  arriving  there  a  little  before  three  o'clock  on  the 
morning  of  the  24th.  The  left  section  under  Lieutenant 
Spencer  Avent  out  on  the  Halifax  road  to  the  right  of  the 
station,  taking  position  facing  nortlnvest  supported  by  only 
a  few  cavalry  vedettes.  Lieutenant  Perrin  with  Lieutenant 
Chace's  right  section  went  south  down  the  railroad  and  be 
low  the  station. 

After  taking  position  one  piece  was  placed  a  few  yards 
to  the  right  in  a  field  in  order  to  cover  and  protect  the  in 
fail  try  which  was  destroying  the  railroad.  Earthworks 
were  thrown  up  around  the  pieces  during  the  night,  and  by 
sunrise  the  next  morning  they  were  completed.  The  left 
section  at  nine  o'clock  that  morning  by  General  Gibbon's 
orders  joined  the  right  section  below  the  station.  After  the 
left  section  had  joined  the  right  Lieutenant  Spencer's  right 
piece  was  put  in  position  on  the  Halifax  road  to  the  left  of 
Lieutenant  Chace's  left  piece.  Lieutenant  Spencer's  left 
piece  was  placed  in  the  field  to  the  right  of  Lieutenant 
Chace's  right  piece.  The  third  and  second  pieces  thus 
placed  formed  the  left  section  of  the  battery,  and  was  under 
the  command  of  Lieutenant  Chace,  while  the  first  and  fourth 
pieces  formed  the  right  section  of  the  battery  under  the 
command  of  Lieutenant  Spencer.  Lieutenant  Perrin  was 
in  command  of  the  battery  which  was  facing  southwest, 
overlooking  the  railroad  and  the  fields  west  of  the  Halifax 
road.  The  battery's  position  at  that  time  was  about  two 
hundred  yards  south  of  the  junction  of  the  Dimviddie  stage 
road  Avith  the  Halifax  road.  The  battery  bivouacked  in 
the  entrenchments  all  night. 


1864.]  RKAMS'S  STATION  ;:>,77 

At  the  break  of  day  on  the  morning  of  the  2r>th,  the  men 
were  awakened  by  the  infantry  going  out  of  the  works  to  the 
support  of  the  cavalry  which  had  been  ordered  to  make  an 
extended  reconnoissanee  to  the  south.  Reports  were1 
received  that  the  enemy's  pickets  had  been  repulsed  at  two 
] joints  without  developing  any  increase  of  strength,  (leu- 
em!  Hancock  ordered  General  Gibbon's  division  out  to  con 
tinue  the  work  of  destroying  the  railroad.  They  had  hardly 
left  their  entrenchments  when  they  were  attacked  by  a 
strong  force  of  Hie  enemv  and  compelled  to  retire.  (Ten- 
oral  Gibbon  then  deployed  a  strong  skirmish  line  to  check 
the  enemy's  advance,  which  he  succeeded  in  accomplishing 
after  a  sharp  skirmish,  and  the  division  held  its  ground  but 
did  nor  advance.  It  was  finally  ordered  back  within  the 
breastworks. 

The  enemy  had  shown  itself  in  force1  on  our  right,  and 
caused  Lieutenant  Perrin  to  change  front  and  Lieutenant 
Spencer's  two  pieces  which  were  in  the  field  to  the  right  of 
the  railroad  swung  around  to  the  right  and  rear  about  one 
hundred  yards  nearer  to  the  traverse  of  the  breastworks. 
Lieutenant  Chaee's  right  piece,  which  was  on  the1  railroad 
bed  was  swung  around  to  the  front  and  right.  l»y  these 
changes  three  pieces  were  facing  nearly  west  with  one  of 
Lieutenant  Chace's  pieces  facing  nearly  southeast  on  the 
Halifax  road.  Such  was  the  position  of  Batteries  A  and  B 
at  Keams's  Station  on  the  morning  of  the  iMth.  To  the 
right  and  front  were  heavy  timber  in  which  the  enemy's  in 
faniry  was  massed. 

Soon  the  enemy's  sharpshooters  began  to  pick  off  our  men 
and  horses,  and  several  were  killed.  Orders  were  now  given 
by  Lieutenant  Perrin  to  shell  the  enemy's  line.  An  order 
was  then  received  from  brigade  headquarters  to  cease  tiring, 
which  was  obeyed.  In  the  meantime  the  First  Division 
had  repulsed  several  attacks  of  the  enemy  on  its  lines. 
After  the  battery  had  ceased  tiring  it  became  apparent  that 
The  rebels  were  preparing  to  make  another  attack  upon 
our  right.  About  5..'>0  p.  M.  a  strong  force  of  the  enemy  ap- 


378  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY    [Aug. 

peared,  directing  its  assault  against  the  northeast  angle  to 
the  right  of  the  Tenth  Massachusetts  Battery.  Here  our 
troops  gave  way,  and  the  rebels  swarmed  over  our  works. 
The  enemy  then  opened  with  a  terrific  fire  with  their  artil 
lery,  which  was  massed  in  a  cornfield  on  our  right  and  front. 
Their  gnus  were  served  with  vigor.  Our  artillery  in  the 
meantime  was  not  idle  and  quickly  replied  to  the  enemy's 
fire.  But  the  battery  soon  found  itself  in  an  unpleasant 
position,  as  both  men  and  horses  were  exposed  to  the  deadly 
fire  of  the  enemy.  The  horses  began  to  fall  one  after  an 
other  until  all  were  either  killed  or  disabled.  Several  of 
the  men  had  been  severely  wounded.  Nevertheless  the  bat 
tery  held  its  ground  and  continued  its  fire  upon  the  rebels. 
Four  times  the  rebels  charged  up  to  our  breastworks,  but 
were  repulsed.  At  last  our  infantry  gave  way  and  the  en 
emy  leaped  the  entrenchments  and  poured  their  fire  right 
and  left  down  the  line  upon  those  who  still  stood  firm. 
Sleeper's  Massachusetts  battery  across  the  railroad  was 
captured  entire  in  spite  of  a  stout  resistance  on  the  part 
of  officers  and  men.  Brown's  consolidated  A  and  B  Rhode 
Island  battery,  which  was  also  across  the  railroad,  met  the 
same  fate  except  one  limber  which  was  taken  away  by  some 
of  the  men  of  the  battery.  A  little  later  the  flushed  and 
victorious  enemy  advanced  upon  Dauchey's  Twelfth  Xew 
York  Battery,  and,  after  a  hand-to  hand  fight  with  the  gun 
ners,  took  possession  of  the  pieces  one  by  one.  Sneh  were 
the  first  results  of  Heth's  charge.  The  enemy  had.  owing  to 
the  misconduct  of  a  portion  of  our  First  Division,  carried 
twelve  hundred  yards  of  our  entrenchments,  with  twelve 
guns.  The  brigade  from  the  Second  Division  commanded 
by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Rugg,  though  called  upon  by  General 
Miles  in  person  to  go  forward  and  drive  back  the  enemy, 
cowered  in  the  railroad  cut  and  were  captured  nearly  en 
tire  without  resistance.  This  was  the  colonel  to  whom  Lieu 
tenant  Spencer,  of  Battery  B,  gave  orders  to  come  and  pro 
tect  the  battery  which  he  was  there  to  support,  but  he  re- 


1864.]  REAMS'*  STATION  379 

fused,  claiming  that  ho  had  no  orders  and  could  not  do  it; 
whereupon  Lieutenant  Spencer  vigorously  replied,  "To 
h — 11  with  orders! — march  your  men  in  there  and  cut  off  the 
enemy  from  getting  back!"  But  the  colonel,  who  would  not 
accept  an  order  from  General  Miles,  would  not  accept  one 
from  a  second  lieutenant  of  a  Rhode  Island  battery. 

Never  in  the  history  of  the  Second  Corps  had  such  an 
exhibition  of  incapacity  and  cowardice  been  given.  But 
the  battle  of  Reams's  Station  Avas  not  over.  With  the  en 
emy  holding  the  entire  face  of  our  entrenchments  and  ready 
to  sweep,  in  greatly  superior  numbers,  adown  both  returns, 
it  would  seem  that  naught  but  further  disaster  and  final 
complete  rout  could  ensue.  The  enemy  had,  however,  still 
to  reckon  with  a  few  indomitable  spirits;  Generals  Han 
cock,  and  Miles,  Colonels  Lynch  and  Brody,  with  a  score  of 
staff  officers  and  regimental  commanders  whose  courage 
rose  with  the  emergency,  threw  themselves  across  the  path 
of  the  exultant  Confederates.  The  Hags  of  the  corps  and 
the  division  commanders  were  advanced  into  their  very 
faces.  Dauchey's  cannoneers  with  their  rammers,  portions 
of  the  Sixty-first  and  Tenth  New  York  and  half  a  dozen 
other  organizations,  with  some  of  the  braver  individual  sol 
diers  from  those  who  had  been  driven  out  of  the  angle, 
joined  Hancock  and  Miles  in  the  effort  to  retake  the  cap 
tured  guns  and  works.  Not  more  Than  three  hundred  men 
made  up  the  little  party  which  rushed  upon  the  enemy, 
standing  among  Dauchey's  pieces.  Step  by  step  they  drove 
the  Confederates  back,  till  the  last  one  of  Dauchey's  guns 
across  the  trail  of  which  Lieutenant  Brower  lay  dead,  had 
been  retaken,  and  those  who  had  held  it  sought  refuge  in 
the  railroad  cut.  So  daring  and  desperate  had  been  the  un 
expected  onset  made  by  this  small  band  of  Union  officers  and 
soldiers  that  the  Confederate  advance  was  not  only  checked 
but  stopped:  and  never  during  the  brief  remaining  hour  of 
the  day  was  there  a  serious  effort  made  to  follow  up  the  ad 
vantage  gained  in  1he  first  charge.  Three  of  Dauchey's 


o80  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.     I.     LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Aug., 

guns  were  hauled  oil'  by  our  men,  the  fourth,  which  had  been 
detached  and  sent  farther  down  the  entrenchments,  to  fire 
up  the  Halifax  road,  being  too  much  within  the  range  of  the 
enemy's  musketry  to  be  withdrawn.  The  situation  was 
this:  The  enemy  occupied  the  whole  face  of  the  entrench 
ments  and  railroad  cut,  which,  as  stated,  was  parallel 
thereto.  Their  rifles  also  commanded  the  inside  of  our  en 
trenchments  some  distance  down  each  return.  Murphy's 
brigade  of  (ribbon's  division,  along  the  left  return,  had 
fallen  precipitately  back  when  Brown's  (A  and  B),  It.  I., 
and  Sleeper's  (Tenth  Massachusetts)  batteries  were  taken. 
Our  line  was  now  drawn  across  the  ground  enclosed  by 
the  works,  parallel  to  the  face  of  the  entrenchments  and  to 
the  railroad,  a  distance  from  the  latter  of  nearly  three  hun 
dred  yards.  Gregg's  cavalry  still  held  their  place  firmly 
in  our  left  rear,  having  thrown  off  all  attacks,  while  upon 
the  new  front  Warner's  New  Jersey  battery,  the  only  one 
which  could  be  brought  into  action  (Dauchev's  recaptured 
guns  being  without  ammunition)  replied  with  undaunted 
courage  to  the  fire  of  all  the  Confederate  batteries  now  con 
centrated  upon  it  from  three  sides.  In  front  were1  eight 
brigades  of  infantry  flushed  with  victory,  and  on  the  left  a 
greatly  superior'  force  of  cavalry,  yet  Hancock  was  most  re 
luctant  to  relinquish  to  the  enemy  the  final  possession  of 
any  part  of  the  field;  and  Miles,  though  his  division  was  re 
duced  to  a  skeleton,  was  hot  to  recommence  fighting.  He 
had  already  got  some  of  his  men  over  the  breastworks  on 
the  right,  where  they  were  joined  by  the  brigade  of  cavalry 
which  we  have  spoken  of  as  covering  our  left  rear.  Gregg, 
too,  promised  to  join  from  his  side  in  a  general  advance  to 
retake  the  works.  But  when  the  question  was  put  to  Gib 
bon,  that  officer  was  compelled  to  admit  that  he  could  not 
hope  to  bring  his  troops  up.  Kugg's  brigade  had  largely 
gone  into  the  enemy's  hands;  Murphy's  regiments  had  been 
badly  disorganized  by  the  enfilading  and  reversed  fires  to 
which  they  had  so  long  been  subjected,  and,  by  their  own 


1864.]  HKAMS'S    STATION  381 

hasty  retreat  when  the  Confederates  broke  through  along 
tlie  railroad.  Kven  the  gallant  Smyth  liad  to  say  that  his 
brigade  eon  Id  not  be1  relied  upon  for  any  aggressive  move 
ment.  There  was  nothing  left  for  Hancock,  therefore,  but 
to  submit  to  the  hard  fate  which  had  befallen  his  command. 
The  blow  to  him  had  been  an  awful  one.  "It  is  not  surpris 
ing,"  writes  Morgan,  "that  General  Hancock  was  deeply 
stirred  by  the  situation,  for  it  was  the  first  time  he  had  felt- 
felt  the  bitterness  of  defeat  during  the  war.  He  had  seen 
his  troops  fail  in  their  attempts  to  carry  the  entrenchments 
of  the  enemy,  but  he  had  never  before1  had  the  mortification 
of  seeing  them  driven  and  his  lines  and  guns  taken,  as  on 
this  occasion;  and  never  before1  had  he  seen  his  men  fail  to 
respond  to  the  utmost  when  he  called  upon  them  personally 
for  a  supreme  effort;  nor  had  he  ever  before  ridden  toward 
the  enemy  followed  by  a  beggarly  array  of  a  few  hundred 
s trailers  who  had  been  leathered  together  and  pushed  to 
ward  the  enemy.  He  could  no  longer  conceal  from  himself 
that  his  once  mighty  corps  retained  the  shadow  of  its  for 
mer  strength  and  vigor.  Riding  up  to  one  of  his  staff  om'- 
cers  in  Warner's  battery,  covered  with  dust  and  begrimed 
with  powder  and  smoke,  he  placed  his  hand  upon  the  staff 
officer's  shoulder  and  said:  'Colonel.  I  do  not  care  to  die. 
but  I  pray  God  I  may  never  leave  this  field!"  The  agony  of 
that  day  never  passed  away  from  the  proud  soldier. 
So  one  who  was  gifted  to  discern  the  real  forces  which  in  us 
make  for  life  or  for  death,  looking  down  on  the  cold  and 
pallid  form  of  Hancock  as  he  lay  at  rest  beneath  the  droop 
ing  flag  of  his  country  on  Governor's  Island,  in  February. 
1SS(>.  would  have  seen  'Reams's  Station*  written  on  brow, 
and  brain,  and  heart,  as  palpable  as.  to  the  common  eye. 
were  the  scars  of  Gettysburg." 

Night  was  now  coming  on.  and  Hancock  sent  word  back 
1o  halt  the  re-enforcements  approaching  the  field,  which, 
had  they  been  sent  by  the  Halifax  road  would  easily 
have  reached  him  before  the  main  assault  fell.  He  had  no 


382 


BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Aug., 


fear  of  further  attack  from  the  enemy,  who  seemed  content 
to  let  him  alone.  So  savage  had  been  the  onslaught  of  the 
small  column  Avhich  retook  and  carried  off  Dauchey's  guns, 
that  the  enemy  showed  no  disposition  to  renew  hostilities. 
After  dark  Hancock  drew  off  his  broken  battalions.  At 
the  same  moment  the  enemy  began  their  march  back  to  the 
Petersburg  lines,  carrying  with  them  nine  guns,  seven  col 
ors,  and  seventeen  hundred  prisoners. 

But  not  from  the  commander  of  the  Potomac  or  from  the 
great  silent  chief  of  all  the  armies  of  the  United  States  came 
one  word  of  reproof  or  blame.  Before  midnight  General 
Hancock  received  the  following  dispatch  from  General 
Meade : 

"DEAR  GENERAL:  Xo  one  sympathizes  with  you  more 
than  I  do  in  the  misfortune  of  this  evening.  McEntee  gave 
me  such  good  accounts  of  affairs  up  to  the  time  he  left,  and 
it  was  then  so  late,  I  deferred  going  to  you  as  I  intended. 
If  I  had  had  any  doubt  of  your  ability  to  hold  your  lines 
from  a  direct  attack  I  would  have  sent  Willcox  with  others 
down  the  railroad;  but  my  anxiety  was  about  your  rear, 
and  my  apprehension  was  that  they  would  either  move 
around  your  left  or  intervene  between  you  and  Warren.  To 
meet  the  first  contingency  I  sent  Willcox  down  the  Plank 
road,  and,  for  the  second,  I  held  Crawford  and  White  ready 
to  move  and  attack.  At  the  same  time  I  thought  it  likely, 
after  trying  you,  they  might  attack  Warren,  and  wished  to 
leave  him,  until  the  last  moment,  with  some  reserves.  I  am 
satisfied  you  and  your  command  have  done  all  in  your 
power,  and  though  you  have  met  with  a  reverse,  the  honor 
and  escutcheon  of  the  old  Second  is  as  bright  as  ever,  and 
will  on  some  future  occasion  prove  it  is  only  when  enor 
mous  odds  are  brought  against  them  that  they  can  be 
moved.  Don't  let  this  matter  worry  you,  because  you  have 
given  me  every  satisfaction. 

Truly  yours, 

GEORGE  G.  MEADE." 


1864.]  IJKAMS'S    STATION  383 

The  losses  sustained  by  the  Second  Corps  at  Reams's  Sta 
tion  were:  Killed,  157;  wounded,  427;  missing,  1,982;  mak 
ing  the  total  losses  of  the  two  divisions,  besides  artillerv 
and  staff,  2,5GG. 

The  losses  of  combined  lotteries  A  and  B  were:  Killed: 
First  Sergt.  Charles  H.  Adams  and  Private  John  Glynn, 
and  two  attached  men.  Of  the  wounded  and  taken  pris 
oners  nine  of  them  belonged  to  Battery  A:  Thomas  Don 
nelly.  John  Hampston,  Frederic  G.  Herman  (who  died  of 
disease  at  Salisbury,  X.  C.),  Thomas  McXamara,  Charles 
F.  Kiley,  AV.  Irving  Tallman,  Benjamin  AA".  AA'alker,  Henry 
A.  AArellinan,  and  AVilliam  AV.  AAlnsor.  First  Lieut.  Wil 
liam  S.  Pen-in  was  wounded  by  a  piece  of  shell  which  broke 
his  leg  below  the  knee,  and  was  taken  prisoner.  Lieuten 
ants  Gideon  Spencer  and  James  E.  Chace  were  also  taken 
prisoners.  The  following  men  of  Battery  B  were  wounded 
and  taken  prisoners:  Sergeants  Aborn  AV.  Carter,  and  Cal 
vin  L.  Macomber  and  Charles  J.  Rider  and  Corp.  AAllliam 
II.  Maxcy.  Also  taken  prisoners :  Corp.  Samuel  II.  Col- 
lington.  who  deserted  and  took  the  oath  of  allegiance  and 
joined  a  Confederate  battery,  and  afterwards  deserted  from 
that  organization.  Corp.  Samuel  J.  Goldsmith  and  Private 
AVilliam  Costin  also  of  Battery  B  were  taken  prisoners.  Of 
the  attached  men  two  were  killed  and  twenty-seven  taken 
prisoners;  a  total  of  fifty-two  officers  and  men.  The  whole 
battery  of  four  guns  and  four  caissons  were  lost,  and  only 
one  limber  was  saved.  It  was  nearly  midnight  when  the 
last  squad  of  men  from  the  battlefield  arrived  at  the  camp 
of  the  battery's  train,  which  was  parked  on  the  left  of  the 
r»»ad  between  the  Norfolk  Railroad  and  the  Jerusalem 
Plank  road. 

On  the  2Gth  of  August,  First  Sergt.  AVilliam  I).  Child,  of 
Battery  A.  (twin  brother  of  Benjamin  H.  Child),  by  orders 
from  corps  artillery  headquarters,  was  placed  in  command 
<>[  the  remaining  remnants  of  Batteries  A  and  B,  and  or 
dered  to  make  a  report  of  the  battle  of  Reams's  Station, 


384  BATTEKY    A,    F1KST    K.    J.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY     [Sept.. 

which  duty  lie  faithfully  performed  to  the  entire  satisfac 
tion  of  his  superior  officers. 

After  the  return  of  the  Second  Corps  from  Reams's  Sta 
tion,  during  the  remainder  of  August,  the  First  and  Second 
Divisions  were  chielly  engaged  in  building  earthworks 
which  had  been  ordered  by  General  Grant  to  be  constructed 
for  the  purpose  of  protecting  the  left  wing  of  the  army. 
The  Third  Division  held  the  entrenchments  from  the  Strong 
house  to  the-  Norfolk  'Railroad.  Meanwhile  Batteries  A 
and  1>,  under  command  of  First  Sergt.  William  D.  Child, 
lay  in  camp  awaiting  orders. 

On  Sunday,  September  4th,  Capt.  T.  Fred  Brown  re 
turned  and  resumed  command  of  the  combined  battery. 

On  the  (Jth  the  corps  advanced  and  took  possession  of 
the  enemy's  rifle-pits  at  the  point  known  as  "The  Chimneys,'' 
on  the  Jerusalem  Plank  road.  This  was  acknowledged  to 
be  one  of  the  most  creditable  operations  of  the  siege. 

On  the  18th,  Sunday,  Captain  Brown  received  a  park  of 
new  Napoleon  guns,  light  twelve-pounders  and  caissons,  the 
battery  being  now  fully  equipped  and  in  fighting  trim. 

On  the  2()th  Captain  Brown  commenced  a  series  of 
mounted  drills,  twice  a  day.  weather  permitting,  as  many 
new  men  and  horses  had  been  added  to  his  command. 

On  the  iJ.'Jd  of  September,  1.804,  the  two  batteries  which 
had  been  associated  and  operating  together  since  August 
12th,  were  officially  consolidated  as  one  command,  and 
thereafter  was  known  as  ."Battery  B,  First  Regiment  Rhode 
Island  Light  Artillery.  This  act  terminated  a  distinctive 
history  of  Battery  A,  marked  by  brilliant  deeds  of  one  of 
the  best  and  most  efficient  batteries  of  the  Second  Corps, 
as  well  as  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

We  can  no  longer  follow  the  fortunes  of  our  men  who 
remained  in  the  field  with  Battery  .B.  The  task  of  recount 
ing  the  future  events  of  the  services  of  that  battery  has  been 
well  recorded  by  the  historian  of  that  battery. 

Battery  A  has  no  cause  to  blush  for  the  part  it  took  in 
the  great  struggle  for  the  preservation  of  the  Knion.  It 


1864.]  CONCLUSION  385 

was  tried  and  tested  on  many  battlefields  and  never  found 
wanting.  Time  and  again  it  received  the  high  commenda 
tion  of  its  commanding  officers. 

Gen.  Francis  A.  Walker,  the  accomplished  historian  of 
the  .Hixtory  of  (lie  Second  Cor/M-.  makes  frequent  and  de 
served  mention  of  the1  services  of  onr  battery.  He  speaks 
of  it  as  being  the  first  battery  to  support  French's  division 
at  the  battle  of  Fredericksbnrg.  On  page  -O.v>  of  his  work 
he  jnslly  says,  referring  to  the  Ohancellorsville  campaign: 
"The  artillery,  too,  was  carried  to  a  pitch  of  perfection  in 
all  exercises  never  before  thought  of.  Onr  volunteer  gun 
ners  had.  indeed,  from  the  first  been  wonderfully  expert; 
but  it  is  not.  merely  shooting  straight  on  certain  occasions 
which  makes  a  battery  useful.  There  must  be  the  care  of 
pieces,  horses,  accoutrements,  and  ammunition,  in  cam]) 
and  on  the  march,  and  the  thorough  discipline  of  men  and 
animals  which  will  enable  a  battery  1o  go  through  a  long 
and  arduous  campaign,  amid  discomfort  and  privation, 
without  loss  of  strength  of  spirit,  without  "'slumping  in'  at 
critical  moments,  or  finding  anything  lacking  or  broken 
down  or  misplaced,  no  matter  how  quick  the  call,  or  how 
sharp  the  emergency.  There  are  a  hundred  exigencies  with 
artillery  beyond  those  known  to  infantry,  which  render 
first-class  training  and  discipline  enormously  profitable  in 
a  campaign,  ruder  Hooker,  for  the  first  time,  the  differ 
ence1  between  regulars  and  volunteers  ceased  1o  exist  so  far 
as?  this  arm  of  the  service  was  concerned.  I'p  to  that  time, 
notwithstanding  the  rare1  excellence  of  Hazard's  (Arnold's) 
and  1'ettit's.  with  their  peerless  gunners,  that  difference 
was  still  perceptible,  clearly  so  at  the  beginning  of  a  cam 
paign.  and  more  so  at  the  close  of  one." 

At  the  battle  of  Hristoe  Station,  Walker  further  says: 
"A  powerful  battery,  supposed  to  be  Jones's  battalion  of 
sixteen  pieces,  among  them  some  twenty-pounders,  opened 
from  the  direction  of  Warrenton.  and  even  farther  around 
to  the*  south,  and  was  gallantly  replied  to  by  Arnold's  'A,' 
First  Rhode  Island,  which,  having  been  in  action  against 

25 


386 


BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY    [Sept., 


Stuart,  had  literally  executed  the  order — seldom,  if  ever, 
heard,  except,  on  the  drill  ground — 'Fire  to  tin1  rear!  Lim 
bers  and  caissons,  pass  your  pieces !' '; 

Our  battery  was  distinguished  as  a  school  of  instruc 
tion  for  both  officers  and  men.  Many  of  the  officers  and 
men  afterwards  received  commissions  in  other  Rhode  Island 
batteries,  some  of  whom  commanded  batteries  while  others 
attained  high  rank  in  the  artillery  branch  of  the  service,  re 
flecting  imperishable  renown  upon  the  State  that  sent  them 
forth. 

Of  our  original  commissioned  officers  Capt.  William  H. 
Reynolds  was  promoted  to  the  lieutenant-colonelcy  in  the 
First  Rhode  Island  Light  Artillery  Regiment,  and  not  ma 
jor,  as  erroneously  stated  on  page  43  of  this  work.  Of  the 
original  commissioned  officers  who  became  captains  in  other 
batteries  of  the  regiment  we  would  mention :  First  Lieut. 
Thomas  F.  Vaughn,  promoted  to  the  captaincy  of  Battery 
B;  First  Lieut.  J.  Albert  Monroe,  captain  of  Battery  I). 
and  subsequently  promoted  major  and  lieutenant-colonel 
of  the  regiment.  Second  Lieut.  John  A..  Tompkins  suc 
ceeded  to  the  command  of  Battery  A  as  a  captain  upon  the 
promotion  of  Captain  Reynolds.  Captain  Tompkins  was 
afterwards  promoted  major  of  the  regiment;  breveted  lieu 
tenant-colonel.  Second  Lieut.  William  B.  Weeden  was  pro 
moted  to  the  captaincy  of  Battery  C. 

Of  our  original  non-commissioned  officers  S^rgt.  Major 
(Jeorge  E.  Randolph  was  the  first  captain  of  Battery  E,  as 
was  also  Sergt.  Charles  D.  Owens,  of  Battery  G.  First 
Sergt.  Henry  Newton  was  promoted  to  a  first  lieutenancy 
in  Battery  A;  Q.  M.  Sergt.  Albert  E.  Adams  to  second  lieu 
tenant  in  Battery  F,  and  afterwards  first  lieutenant  in  Bat 
tery  D.  Sergt.  John  H.  Hammond  wounded  at  Glendale; 
discharged  by  reason  of  wounds  and  promoted  second  lieu 
tenant  of  the  Rhode  Island  Hospital  Guards.  Sergt.  Wil 
liam  H.  Walcott  promoted  first  lieutenant  in  the  17th  In 
fantry;  brevet  captain  and  brevet  major;  promoted  captain 
in  the  regular  army;  retired  from  active  service  by  reason 


1864.]  CONCLUSION  387 

of  loss  of  leg  from  wound  received  at  Gettysburg;  brevet 
lieutenant  colonel  and  colonel  in  T.  S.  A.  Sergt.  Francis 
A.  Smith  promoted  to  second  lieutenant  Battery  B.  Corp. 
H.  Vincent  Butler  promoted  to  acting  master's  mate  in  the 
F.  S.  Navy.  Corp.  Charles  H.  Clark  promoted  to  first  lieu 
tenant  Battery  C.  Corp.  Gamaliel  L.  I) wight  promoted 
second  lieutenant  Battery  B;  first  lieutenant  Battery  A; 
appointed  adjutant  of  regiment;  reorganized  the  battery 
after  the  return  home  of  the  original  members.  Corp. 
Harry  C.  dishing  promoted  sergeant  in  battery;  promoted 
second  lieutenant  4th  V.  S.  Artillery;  captain  same  regi 
ment;  major  17th  U.  S.  Infantry.  Corp.  William  A.  Sabin 
promoted  second  lieutenant  3d  R.  I.  Heavy  Artillery;  first 
lieutenant  same  regiment.  Corp.  T.  Frederick  Brown  pro 
moted  second  lieutenant  Battery  C;  first  lieutenant  Bat 
tery  B;  captain  same  battery;  breveted  major;  lieutenant- 
colonel.  Corp.  George  W.  Field  promoted  first  lieutenant 
Battery  F;  resigned;  second  lieutenant  4th  R.  I.  Infantry; 
killed  in  action  at  Crater,  near  Petersburg.  Va. 

Farrier  James  P.  Rhodes  promoted  second  lieutenant 
Battery  A.  Private  Elmer  L.  Corthell  transferred  to  Bat 
tery  F;  promoted  sergeant;  second  lieutenant  Battery  H; 
captain  of  Battery  I).  Private  Benjamin  H.  Child,  pro 
moted  corporal;  sergeant  Battery  A;  second  lieutenant 
Battery  H.  His  twin  brother,  AVilliani  D.  Child,  promoted 
tirst  sergeant  of  the  battery,  and  commanded  combined 
Batteries  A  and  B  (for  a  time)  after  the  battle  of  Reams's 
Station.  Private  Thomas  W.  Sayles  transferred  to  Bat- 
iery  H.  and  promoted  sergeant;  commissioned  first  lieuten 
ant  Troop  1),  -'>d  R.  I.  Cavalry;  subsequently  promoted  cap 
tain  Troop  II.  Willard  B.  Pierce,  promoted  to  second  lieu 
tenant  Battery  B.  Charles  V.  Scott,  promoted  to  second 
lieutenant  Battery  G.  Benjamin  Shippee,  promoted  to  sec 
ond  lieutenant  (>th  R.  I.  Vols. 

Of  the  officers  who  came  to  the  battery  after  its  organiza 
tion,  Capt.  William  A.  Arnold,  who  succeeded  Captain 
Totnpkins,  had  been  a  first  lieutenant  in  Battery  E.  First 


388  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    H.    1.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY 

Lieut.  .John  (J.  Hazard  of  Battery  (\  transferred  to  Battery 
A,  and  subsequently  promoted  to  the  captaincy  of  Battery 
B;  breveted  brigadier-general  of  volunteers  for  distin 
guished  services  during  the  war.  His  brother  .JelTery  Haz 
ard,  was  commissioned  second  lieutenant  of  our  battery,  ap 
pointed  adjutant  of  the  regiment;  subsequently  promoted 
to  captain  of  Battery  IT.  Lieut.  Peter  Hunt  first  sergeant 
Battery  (1;  promoted  second  lieutenant  and  subsequently 
first  lieutenant  of  our  battery;  died  of  wounds  received  in 
action  at  Swift  Creek,  Va..  or  Totopotomoy.  First  Sergt. 
•Jacob  IT.  Lamb,  of  Battery  F,  promoted  to  second  lieuten 
ant  Battery  A;  promoted  first  lieutenant  and  transferred 
to  Battery  (1;  transferred  to  Battery  (I;  brevet  captain; 
promoted  captain  of  Battery  (I.  Second  Lieut,  diaries  F. 
Mason  assigned  to  Battery  A;  promoted  to  first  lieutenant, 
and  transferred  to  Battery  II. 

On  the  escutcheon  of  our  battery  are  emblazoned  the 
names  of  scores  of  hard-fought  battles  which  attest  its  loy 
alty  and  devotion  to  the  1'n ion's  cause1: 

HULL   Kux,  SNICKER'S   GAP.  SPOTTSYLVAXIA. 

HOLIVAR   HEIGHTS,  FREDERICKSBURG.  "Tin-:    SALIEXT." 

YORKTOWX.  CHAXC  ELLORSVILLE,  HLOODY   AXGLE. 

FAIR    OAKS.  GETTYSBURG.  LAXDROX    HOUSE. 

PEACH     ORCHARD    AXD  AUHURX  MILLS.  CHESTERFIELD    HRIDGE. 

SAVAGE    STATJOX,  CEDAR    UuxT,  NORTH    ANNA. 

WHITE    OAK    SWAMP,  HRISTOE    STATION.  GAIXES'S    FARM. 

(irLEXDALE,  ROBERTSON'S    TAVERN,  PAMUXKEY    UIVER. 

\TALVERX    HIIL.  MIXE   Ilux.  TOTOPOTOMOY   CREEK. 

CHAXTILLY,  ORANGE   PLANK    KOAD.  NY  KFVKIJ, 

IlYATTSTOWN.  AYlLDERXESS,  COLD    IlARP.OR. 

TURXER'S    GAP.  TODD'S    TAVERN    ;in<l 

AXTIETAM,  Po     RIVER. 

Those  of  our  comrades  who  remained  in  service  with  Bat 
tery  B  saw  the  close  of  the  mighty  struggle  which  cul 
minated  in  I  he  surrender  of  Lee  at  Appomattox  and  the 
complete  triumph  of  the  I'liion  arms,  justly  claim  the  lib 
toric  battle  namj's  of 

UEAMS'S    STATJOX,  PETERSBURG. 

DEEP    HOTTOM. 


s 


» 


PRIVATE  THOMAS  M.  ALDRICH. 

As  he  appeared  June  19,  1861. 
Served  three  years  and  twelve  days,  and  was  never  reported  on  the  sick  list. 


APPENDIX. 


COMMISSIONED  OFFICERS  ASSIGNED  TO  THE  BATTERY  AFTER  ITS 
ORGANIZATION,  JUNE  6,  1861. 


ARNOLD.  WII.I.IA.M  A.  First  lieutenant  Battery  E,  commissioned 
Sept.  28,  1861;  discharged  Dec.  12,  1862.  to  accept  promotion  as 
captain  of  Battery  A. 

BI.AKK.  JOHN  T.  Enrolled  as  sergeant  Battery  B,  Aug.  1.3,  1861; 
promoted  to  first  sergeant  Feb.  5,  18(53:  severely  wounded  at 
battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  2,  1863;  discharged  Dec.,  1863,  to 
accept  promotion  as  second  lieutenant  in  Battery  A. 

COIAVMU,.  SA.MTKL  G.  Enrolled  as  sergeant  Battery  H  Aug.  4,  1862; 
discharged  Nov.,  1863,  to  accept  promotion  as  second  lieutenant 
of  Battery  A;  resigned  April  15,  1864. 

HA/AI;D.  JKKFHKY.  Commissioned  second  lieutenant  Oct.  5.  1861:  ap 
pointed  adjutant  Jan.  22,  1862,  and  continued  as  such  (not  re 
lieved  from  battery  duty)  until  Oct.,  1862;  promoted  to  first 
lieutenant;  discharged  Oct.  10,  1862,  to  accept  promotion  as 
captain  of  Battery  H;  resigned  Aug.  17,  1863. 

HA/AHD.  JOHN  G.  Commissioned  first  lieutenant  Battery  C  Aug.  8, 
1861;  transferred  to  Battery  A  Sept.  17,  1862;  promoted  to  cap 
tain  of  Battery  B;  on  detached  service  commanding  artillery 
brigade  of  the  Second  Army  Corps,  from  May,  1863,  until  Oct.. 
1863;  commissioned  major  April  7,  18(14;  commanding  Second 
Brigade  Artillery  Reserve.  Army  of  the  Potomac,  April,  1864; 
commissioned  lieutenant-colonel,  but  never  mustered;  brevet 
lieutenant-colonel  of  volunteers  for  distinguished  services 
and  good  conduct  throughout  the  campaign,  especially 
at  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  to  date  from  Aug.  1,  1864;  brevet  colonel 
and  brigadier-general  of  volunteers  for  meritorious  services 
during  the  war,  to  date  from  May  3,  1865;  chief  of  artillery. 
Second  Army  Corps,  at  the  battles  of  Gettysburg,  Auburn  Hill, 
and  Bristoe  Station;  mustered  out  July  1,  1865. 


BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    1.     LIGHT    ARTILLERY 

HUNT,  PETER.  Enrolled  as  sergeant  Battery  C;  promoted  to  first 
sergeant;  discharged  to  accept  promotion  as  second  lieutenant 
of  Battery  A;  promoted  to  first  lieutenant  Nov.  5,  1862:  died 
at  Washington,  D.  C.,  June  14,  1864,  of  wounds  received  in 
action  at  Totopotomoy  or  Swift  Creek,  Va. 

LA  MIS,  J'At-oi!  H.  Enrolled  as  sergeant  Battery  E;  promoted  first 
sergeant,  March  14,  1802;  discharged  to  accept  promotion  as 
second  lieutenant  Battery  A  Oct.  31,  1862;  severely  wounded 
in  hand  at  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  3,  1863;  promoted  to  first 
lieutenant  Nov.  6,  1863;  transferred  to  Battery  C;  in  command 
of  battery  from  Sept.,  1864,  until  Dec.,  1864;  transferred  to 
Battery  G  Dec.  29,  1864;  brevet  captain  for  gallant  and  meri 
torious  services  in  the  battles  of  Winchester,  Fisher's  Hill,  and 
Cedar  Creek,  Va.,  to  date  from  Oct.  19,  1864;  promoted  to  cap 
tain  and  transferred  to  Battery  E. 

MASON,  CIIAKLES  F.  Commissioned  second  lieutenant  of  the  battery 
Dec.  24,  1861;  promoted  to  first  lieutenant  and  transferred  to 
Battery  H,  Oct.  15,  1862;  subsequently  appointed  aide  on 
Colonel  Tompkins's  staff. 


APPENDIX.  391 


RECORD  OF  THE  ORIGINAL   MEMBERS  OF  BATTERY  A  WHO  DID 
NOT  RETURN  WITH  IT  TO  RHODE  ISLAND  IN  JUNE,  1864. 


CAPT.  WILLIAM  H.  REYNOLDS.  First  lieutenant  First  Light  Battery; 
resigned  to  accept  promotion  as  captain  in  Battery  A;  promoted 
to  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  First  R.  I.  Light  Artillery;  resigned 
June  26,  1862. 

FIRST  LIEUTEXAXT  THOMAS  F.  VAIGHX.  First  sergeant  First  Light 
Battery;  discharged  to  accept  commission  as  first  lieutenant 
Battery  A;  promoted  to  captain  of  Battery  B;  resigned  Dec. 
11,  1861. 

FIRST  LIEUT.  J.  ALBERT  MONROE.  Promoted  to  captain  of  Battery  D; 
promoted  to  major,  lieutenant-colonel,  and  colonel  of  the  First 
R.  I.  Light  Artillery. 

SECOND  LIECT.  JOHN  A.  TO.MPKI.XS.  Promoted  to  captain  Battery  A; 
promoted  to  major  First  R.  I.  Light  Artillery;  breveted  lieu 
tenant-colonel. 

SECOND  LIEUT.  WILLIAM  B.  WEEDED.  Promoted  to  captain  Battery  C; 
chief  of  artillery  of  a  division  of  the  Sixth  Corps;  resigned 
July  22,  1862. 

FIRST  SERGT.  HENRY  W.  NEWTOX.  Promoted  to  first  lieutenant  Bat 
tery  A;  resigned  Nov.  22,  186"2. 

QUAR.  SERGT.  ALBERT  E.  ADAMS.  Promoted  second  lieutenant  Bat 
tery  F;  promoted  first  lieutenant  Battery  D. 

SECOXD  SERGT.  Jonx  H.  HAMMOND.  Wounded  at  Glendale.  Dis 
charged  Sept.  6,  1862;  promoted  second  lieutenant  Rhode  Island 
Hospital  Guards. 

THIRD  SERGT.  WILLIAM  H.  WALCOTT.  Promoted  first  lieutenant  17th 
TJ.  S.  Infantry;  brevet  captain;  brevet  major;  promoted  captain; 
brevet  lieutenant-colonel  and  colonel  U.  S.  A. 

FOURTH  SERGT.  G.  HOLMES  WILCOX.  Discharged  for  disability  Nov. 
3,  1862. 

FIFTH  SERGT.  CHARLES  D.  OWEX.  Promoted  to  first  lieutenant  Bat 
tery  A;  promoted  to  captain  Battery  G;  resigned  Dec.  29,  1862. 

SIXTH  SERGT.  FRAXCIS  A.  SMITH.  Promoted  to  second  lieutenant 
Battery  B;  resigned  Nov.  28.  1861. 


392  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    i:.    I.     LK1HT    ARTILLERY 

SERGT.  MAJOR  GEORGE  E.  RANDOLPH.  Promoted  to  second  lieutenant 
Battery  A;  first  lieutenant  Battery  C;  captain  of  Battery  E; 
chief  of  artillery,  Third  Corps;  brevet  major;  lieutenant-colonel; 
colonel;  resigned  Dec.  29,  1863. 

GOBI'.  CHARLES  M.  REED.  Promoted  to  sergeant;  killed  at  battle  of 
Antietam,  Sept.  17,  1862. 

CORP.  H.  VINCENT  BITLER.  Transferred  to  U.  S.  Navy,  March  2<i, 
1863. 

CORP.  CHARLES  H.  CLARK.  Promoted  to  first  lieutenant  Battery  C, 
Sept.  13,  1861;  resigned  Aug.  7,  1862. 

CORP.  ALBERT  F.  REMINGTON.  Transferred  to  48th  Co.,  V.  R.  C.; 
mustered  out  June  6,  1864. 

CORP.  NATHAN  T.  MORSE.  Killed  by  explosion  of  limber  chest  at 
Washington,  D.  C..  July  9,  1861. 

CORP.  JAMES  B.  BUFFUM.  Discharged  for  disability  at  Falmouth, 
Va.,  Jan.  1.  1863. 

CORP.  GAMALIEL  L.  DWIGHT.  Promoted  second  lieutenant  Battery 
B;  promoted  first  lieutenant  Battery  A;  appointed  adjutant  of 
First  R.  I.  Light  Artillery;  reorganized  and  commanded  Bat 
tery  A  after  the  return  home  of  the  original  men. 

CORP.  HARRY  C.  Ci  SUING.  Promoted  second  lieutenant  Fourth  U.  S. 
Artillery;  captain  Fourth  U.  S.  Artillery;  major  17th  U.  S. 
Infantry. 

CORP.  WILLIAM  A.  SAIIIN.  Promoted  second  lieutenant  Co.  C,  Third 
R.  I.  Heavy  Artillery;  promoted  first  lieutenant  same  regiment. 

CORP.  GEORGE  WT.  FIELD.  Promoted  first  lieutenant  Battery  F,  Oct. 
17,  1861;  resigned  Oct.  26,  1862;  second  lieutenant  Co.  B,  Fourth 
R.  I.  Infantry;  killed  in  action  at  the  Crater,  near  Petersburg, 
Va.,  July  30,  1864. 

CORP.  T.  FREDERICK  BROWN.  Promoted  first  sergeant  of  battery; 
second  lieutenant  Battery  C  Aug.  13,  1862;  first  lieutenant  Bat 
tery  B  Feb.  14,  1863;  captain  same  battery  April  13,  1864; 
wounded  severely  in  neck,  July  2,  1863,  at  Gettysburg,  Pa.; 
breveted  major  to  date  from  Dec.  2,  1864;  breveted  lieutenant- 
colonel  April  9,  1865. 

CORP.  SEAIURY  S.  BURROUGHS.  Discharged  for  disability  April  22, 
1862. 

ARTIFICER  DANIEL  W.  MARSHALL.  Discharged  for  disability  at  Fal 
mouth,  Va.,  Mar.  8,  1863. 

FARRIER  GEORGE  A.  STETSON.  Taken  prisoner  at  battle  of  Bull  Run, 
July  21,  1861;  released  June  2,  1862. 

FARRIER  JAMES  P.  RHODES.  Promoted  second  lieutenant  Battery  A, 
Nov.  11,  1862;  resigned  Oct.  20,  1863. 


Privates. 

ALLEN.  GEORGE  W.  D.  Discharged  for  disability  at  Poolesville,  Md., 
Feb.  14,  1862. 

ADAMS.  GEORGE  A.  Discharged  for  disability  at  Fortress  Monroe, 
Va..  Nov.  6,  1862. 

AK.VOI.D.  NELSON  H.  Bugler.  Discharged  for  disability  at  Washing 
ton,  D.  C.,  July  1.0,  1.861. 

BENEDICT.  FREDERICK  H.     Deserted  at  Darnestown,  Md.,  Oct.  13,  18(51. 

BOIKNE.  WILLIAM  E.  Killed  by  explosion  of  limber  chest  at  Wash 
ington,  D.  C.,  July  9,  1861. 

BROWN.  Ciovis  G.  War  records  state  "Last  borne  on  roll  for  July 
and  August,  1861.  No  further  record.''  Records  of  the  War 
Office  report  him  "Discharged  on  surgeon's  certificate."  Date 
not  shown. 

BROWN,  Josiii  A.  Wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  Bull  Run  battle, 
July  21,  1861;  discharged  for  disability  Jan.  14,  1863. 

BITLER,  FREEMAN.     Transferred  to  Battery  F  Oct.  3,  1861. 

Bi  i>.   FREDERICK.     Killed  at  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21,  1861. 

BYARS.  JOSEPH.  Discharged  for  disability  at  Poolesville,  Md.,  Feb. 
24,  1862. 

CARGILL.  CHARLES.  Wounded  at  Gettysburg  July  3,  1863;  discharged 
at  Lovell  General  Hospital,  Portsmouth,  Grove,  R.  I.,  June  6. 
1864. 

CIIAFEEE,  CHARLES  E.  Discharged  for  disability  at  Washington, 
D.  C.,  March  15,  1863. 

CHAEEEE.  GEORGE  W.  Discharged  for  disability  at  Washington, 
D.  C.,  Dec.  5,  1862. 

CHILD,  BE.X.IAMIN  H.  Wounded  at  Bull  Run  battle  July  21,  1861; 
wounded  slightly  in  head  at  battle  of  Antietam  Sept  17,  1862; 
promoted  corporal;  promoted  sergeant;  wounded  severely  in 
shoulder  at  battle  of  Gettysburg  July  3,  1S63;  promoted  to 
second  lieutenant  Battery  H,  Jan.  8,  1864;  resigned  for  disability 
Nov.  23.  1864. 

Cm  RCII.  JOHN.  Wounded  severely  in  leg  at  battle  of  Antietam 
Sept.  17,  1862;  discharged  for  disability  Dec.  26,  1862. 

COLLINS.  JAMES  H.  Discharged  for  disability  at  Poolesville,  Md., 
Fel).  14.  1862. 

COOPER.  JAMES.  Wounded  at  Malvern  Hill,  July  1,  1862,  and  dis 
charged  by  reason  of  wounds  Sept.  17,  1862. 

CORTIIELL.  ELMER  L.  Transferred  to  Battery  F  Oct.  31,  1861; 
promoted  sergeant  same  date;  second  lieutenant  Battery  H  Oct. 
11,  1862;  first  lieutenant  Battery  G,  Nov.  6,  1863;  captain 
Battery  D,  Oct.  21,  1864. 


394  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY 

CURTIS,    HORACE    M.     Wounded    at    Gettysburg,    Pa.,    July    3,    1863 ; 

transferred  to  V.  R.  C.  Dec.  22,  1863. 

DAY,  HENRY  F.     Transferred  to  Battery  F,  Oct.  3,  1861. 
DESMOND,  MICHAEL.     Wounded  at  battle  of  Bristoe  Station,  Oct  14, 

1863;   discharged  for  disability  May  16,  1864. 
DONEGAL,  PATRICK.     Discharged  for  disability  April   29,  1863. 
FLETCHER,    CALVIN.     Dropped   from    rolls.     No   further   record. 
FLOOD,     THOMAS.     Dropped     from     the     rolls.     No     further     record. 
FRANKLIN,  GEORGE    A.     Transferred    to    Battery    F    Sept.    10,    1861; 

deserted  at  Bolivar,  Va.,  Oct.  27,  1862. 
FREEMAX,  EDWARD  R.     Wounded  by  the  explosion  of  a  limber  chest 

at   Washington,   D.   C.,   July   9,    1861.     Discharged   for   disability 

Feb.   14,   1862. 
GLADDING,  OLNEY  D.     Mortally  wounded  at  the  Bull  Run  battle.  July 

21,  1861. 
GOLDSMITH,   JAMES   H.     Wounded   at  the  Bull   Run  battle,   July    21, 

1861;    prisoner  of  war   at  Richmond,   Va.,   July   24,   1861;    mus 
tered  out  of  service  May  21,  1862. 

GRAHAM,  HENRY.  JR.     Transferred  to  Battery  F  Oct.   3,   1861. 
GREENHALGII,    WILLIAM    J'.     Dropped    from    the    rolls.     No    further 

record. 

GRIFFIN,    JOHN.    2d.     Dropped    from    the    rolls.     No    further    record, 
HARRISON,   GILBERT   F.     Wounded   at  Gettysburg,   Pa.,   July   3,   1S63; 

transferred  to  V.  R.  C.  Jan.  29,  1864. 

HAYNES,   WILLIAM.     Discharged   for   disability   Feb.   14,   1862. 
HICKS,    HENRY    F.     Severely    wounded   at  battle   of    Fredericksburg, 

Va.,    Dec.    13,    1862;    both    feet   amputated;    discharged    for    dis 
ability   Dec.   23,   1863. 

JENCKES,   ALBERT   J.     Transferred  to   Battery   F   Oct.   3,    1861 ;    mus 
tered  out  June  5,  1864. 
JOLLIE,   THOMAS.     Discharged  for   disability   at  Harrison's   Landing, 

Va.,  Aug.  14.  186*. 
LAXXEGAN,    PATRICK.     Killed    at   battle    of    Gettysburg,    Pa.,    July    3, 

1863. 

LAUGHLIX,  ROBERT.     Transferred  to  Battery  F  Oct.   3,   1861. 
LAWRENCE,  JOHX  H.     Killed  at  battle  of  Antietam  Sept.  17,  1862. 
LUTHER,    HKZEKIAH    W.     Discharged    for    disability    at    Harrison's 

Landing,  July  12,  1862. 

LUTHER,   LEVI.     Discharged   for   disability   Jan.   16,   1863. 
LYXDSAY,    BEXJAMIX    F.     Discharged    for    disability    at    Harrison's 

Landing,  July  15,  1862. 
MARCY,    ALBOURXE    W.     Discharged    for    disability    July    15,     1862. 

Died    on    steamer    VanderMlt    July    21,    1862,    while    returning 

North. 


APPENDIX 

MARTIN.  BENJAMIN  F.  Discharged  for  disability  at  Yorktown,  Va., 
April  10,  1862. 

McC'ARRACK,  JOHN  O.  Discharged  for  disability  at  Providence, 
R.  I.,  April  4,  1863. 

MESSINCER,  ELI.  Transferred  to  Artillery  Headquarters  as  hospital 
steward. 

MESSINGER,  GEORGE.  Transferred  to  Battery  H,  and  promoted  to 
sergeant. 

MORAN,  JOHN.  Died  of  wounds  received  at  battle  of  Bristoe  Station, 
Oct.  14,  1863. 

MORSE,  NATHAN  T.  Accidentally  killed  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  by 
explosion  of  limber  chest,  July  9,  1861. 

MONVRY,   CHARLES  H.     Deserted  at  Sandy  Hook,   Md.,  July  27,   1863. 

M  UN  ROE,  BENJAMIN  S.  Discharged  for  disability  at  Providence, 
R.  I.,  Oct.  20,  1862. 

OLNEY.  AMOS  M.  C.  Promoted  sergeant;  re-enlisted  Dec.  19,  1863, 
and  transferred  to  Battery  B  Sept.  23,  1864. 

PECK,  WILLIAM  F.  Discharged  at  Providence,  R.  1.,  before  the  bat 
tery  left  Dexter  Training  Ground. 

PERCLVAL.  RICHARD.  Discharged  for  disability  at  New  York  City 
Sept.  21,  1862. 

PHILLIPS,  FREDERICK  A.  Wounded  at  battle  of  Antietam  Sept.  17, 
1862;  discharged  for  disability  Dec.  24,  1862. 

PIERCE,  WILLARD  B.  Promoted  first  sergeant;  promoted  to  second 
lieutenant  Battery  B  Aug.  2,  1863;  resigned  on  account  of 
physical  disability  April  11,  1864. 

POTTER,  EDWIN.  Discharged  for  disability  at  Poolesville,  Md.,  Feb. 
14,  1862. 

PRATT,  HENRY  L.  Discharged  for  disability  at  Camp  Clark,  Wash 
ington,  D.  C.,  June  28,  1861. 

REICHARDT,  A.  H.  V.  Discharged  for  disability  at  Poolesville,  Md., 
Feb.  14,  1862. 

REMINGTON.  RICHARD  T.  Discharged  for  disability  at  Poolesville, 
Md.,  Feb.  14,  1862. 

RIDER,  WILLIAM  H.  Promoted  to  corporal;  wounded  at  Gettysburg, 
Pa..  July  3,  1863;  transferred  to  V.  R.  C.  March,  1864;  discharged 
as  corporal  of  the  117th  Co.,  2d  Battalion  V.  R.  C. 

SAYLES,  THOMAS  W.  Transferred  to  Battery  H,  July  22,  1862; 
sergeant  Battery  H;  first  lieutenant  Troop  D,  Third  R.  1.  Cav 
alry;  captain  Troop  H. 

SCOTT,  CHARLES  V.  Promoted  second  lieutenant  Battery  G  April 
29,  1864;  wounded  severely  at  battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June 
3,  1864;  breveted  captain;  died  at  Winchester,  Va.,  Jan.  21, 
1865,  of  wounds  received  at  Cedar  Creek,  Va. 


39H  JJATTKRY    A,     FIIIST     II.     I.     LHJHT    AIITILLEKY 

SEDDON,  JOHN.     Discharged  for  disability  Nov.  22,  18G2. 
SiiEi'ARDsoN.    GKOKCE    A.     Discharged    for    disability    at    Providence, 

R.  I.,  Jan.  5,  1863. 
Sim'i'EE.   BEN.IAMIN.     Second   lieutenant   Sixth   R.    I.   Vols.,   Mar.   16, 

1863. 
STANLEY,  MILTON.     Transferred  to  Battery  F  Oct.  3,  1861;  re-enlisted 

Dec.   12,   1863;    died  at  Providence,  R.   I.,  Dec.   6,  1864,  while  on 

furlough. 
STEWART.   HENRY   H.     Never   served   with  the   battery,   but  appeared 

at  P  rovidence,  R.  I.,  June  5,  1864,  and  was  mustered  out. 
SWAIN,  REIIJEN   C.     Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.   Dec.   15,   1863;    died  at 

Providence,  R.  I.,  Dec.  24,  1863. 
TAYLOR,    WILLIAM     H.     Re-enlisted    and    transferred    to    Battery    B 

Aug.  12,  1864. 
VOSK.   WARREN    L.     Wounded   and   reported   missing  since  the  battle 

of  Bull  Run,  July  21,  1861. 
WALKER,    ARNOLD    ^..     Discharged    for    disability    at    Falmouth,    Va., 

Feb.  5,  1863. 
WALKER,    STEPHEN.     Discharged    for    disability    at    Fortress    Monroe, 

Va.,  Oct.  28,  1862. 
WARDEN,    SAMTKL   P.     Discharged    for   disability   at   Frederick   City, 

Mel..  Dec  23,  1862. 
WARDEN.    WENDALL.     Discharged    for    disability    at    Yorktown,    Va., 

April  19,  1862. 
WATSON,    JOHN     F.     Discharged    on    Dexter    Training    Ground,    at 

Providence,  R.  L,  June  9,  1861,  on  request  of  relatives. 
WEEDED,    AMOS    C.     Transferred    to    Battery    C    Aug.    25,    1861,    and 

appointed   quartermaster   sergeant. 

WELLMAN,    GEORGE    A.     Taken    prisoner    on    the    Peninsula;     trans 
ferred  to  Battery  B. 

WIIALEN,   JOHN.     Discharged   at   Camp   Clark,   Washington,    D.   C. 
WICKES,    EDWIN    E.     Deserted    at    Providence,    R.    L,    Nov.    1,    1861, 

while  on  sick  leave. 
ZIMALA,    JOHN.     Wounded    in    leg   at   battle    of    Antietam,    Sept.    17, 

1862;   killed  at  battle  of  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  July  3,  1863. 


397 
RECRUITS  FOR  BATTERY  A. 


ALDHICU.  GKOKCK  N.  Enrolled  April  8,  1864:  transferred  to  Battery 
B  Aug.  12,  18G4. 

A>,X;KLL.  FKA.NCIS  H.  Enrolled  Aug.  1,  1802;  transferred  to  Battery 
B  Aug.  12,  1864. 

ARMLNC.TOA-.  AMOS  H.  Enrolled  May  22,  1864;  promoted  to  ser 
geant;  transferred  to  Battery  B  Aug.  12,  1864. 

ARNOLD.  WALTKH.  Enrolled  Aug.  13,  1861;  promoted  to  sergeant; 
severely  wounded  in  leg  at  Gettysburg,  July  3,  1863;  also 
wounded  in  face  at  Po  River,  May  9,  1864;  mustered  out  near 
Petersburg,  Aug.  12,  1864. 

BKACC.  WILLIAM  A.  Enrolled  July  8,  1864;  transferred  to  Battery 
B  Aug.  12,  1864. 

BKAY.  GKOKCK  E.  Enrolled  Aug,  Jo.  1861;  mustered  out  Aug.  12, 
1864. 

BIDI.O.NC.  EDWARD  F.  Enrolled  Aug.  13,  1861;  wounded  at  battle 
of  Antietam,  Sept.  17,  1862;  discharged  at  U.  S.  General  Hos 
pital,  Frederick,  Md..  Dec.  5,  1862. 

Bi'RKii.L.  WILLIAM  H.  H.  Name  found  only  on  regimental  returns; 
sick  in  U.  S.  General  Hospital  from  Nov.,  1863,  until  July  3, 
1864,  when  dropped  by  special  order  for  prolonged  absence. 

CIIAIM-KLL,  EmvAKD  H.  Enrolled  July  18,  1862;  transferred  to  Bat 
tery  B  Aug.  12,  1864. 

CHILD.  WILLIAM  D.  Enrolled  Oct.  4,  1861;  promoted  to  first  ser 
geant;  transferred  to  Battery  B  Aug.  12,  1864;  placed  in  tem 
porary  command  of  combined  Batteries  A  and  B,  for  a  time 
after  the  battle  of  Reams's  Station. 

CIHKCII.  NOKIMS  !..  Enrolled  March  24,  1S62;  killed  in  action  at 
Totopotomoy  or  Swift  Creek,  Va.,  May  31,  1864. 

CLAKK.  GKOKCK  P.  Enrolled  May  4,  1864;  transferred  to  Battery  B 
Aug.  12.  1864. 

CLAKK.  GJ:OK<,K  T.  Enrolled  Oct.  4,  1862;  deserted  at  Frederick, 
Md.,  July  20,  1863. 

CLAKK.  HAMILTON.  Enrolled  Aug.  13,  1861;  mustered  out  Sept.  2, 
1864. 

CLAKK,  HKXKY.  Enrolled  Aug.  4,  1862;  transferred  to  Battery  B 
Aug.  12,  1864. 

CLAKK.  HK.NKV  F.  Enrolled  Aug.  13,  1861;  sick  and  wounded  in 
hospital,  July,  1863;  discharged  for  disability  at  New  Haven, 
Conn.,  Dec.  1,  1863. 


398  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.    I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY 

COBURN,  ANDREW  S.  Enrolled  Aug.  17,  1862;  transferred  to  Battery 
B  Aug.  12,  1864. 

COOK,  JOSEPH.  Enrolled  March  17,  1864;  transferred  to  Battery  B 
Aug.  12,  1864. 

COOPER,  BENJAMIN.  Enrolled  August,  1864;  transferred  to  Battery 
B,  probably  by  order  dated  Aug.  12,  1864. 

COSTIN,  WILLIAM.  Enrolled  Oct.,  1862;  transferred  to  Battery  B 
Aug.  12,  1864. 

DEMPSTER.  THOMAS.  Enrolled  Oct.  15,  1862;  transferred  to  Battery 
B  Aug.  12,  1864. 

DERMODY,  PATRICK.  Enrolled  Feb.  2,  1864;  transferred  to  Battery 
B  Aug.  12,  1864. 

DERVIN,  JOHN.  Enrolled  March  24,  1862;  never  served  in  Battery 
A;  sick  in  general  hospital  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  and  dis 
charged  therefrom  Jan.  21,  1863. 

DONNELLY.  THOMAS.  Enrolled  Feb.  29,  1864;  transferred  to  Battery 
B  Aug.  12,  1864;  missing  in  action  at  Reams's  Station.  No 
later  record. 

DORE,  DANIEL  C.  Enrolled  Aug.  13,  1861;  discharged  for  disability 
at  Harrison's  Landing,  Aug.  14,  1862;  enlisted  second  time  in 
battery,  April  29,  1864;  transferred  to  Battery  B;  discharged  at 
Finley  Hospital,  Washington,  D.  C.,  because  OL  injury  of  spine 
from  explosion  of  shell  at  Reams's  Station. 

DORE,  WILLIAM  C.  Enrolled  Aug.  13,  1861;  mustered  out  near 
Petersburg,  Va.,  Aug.  12,  1864. 

ELLIS,  LEONARD  G.  Enrolled  Aug.  14,  1862;  transferred  to  Battery 
D,  date  not  shown;  wounded  at  battle  of  Campbell's  Station, 
Tenn.,  Nov.  16,  1863. 

GILES.  JAMES  H.  Enrolled  Aug.  9,  1862;  discharged  from  Govern 
ment  Hospital,  near  Washington,  D.  C.,  March  28,.  1863. 

GREEN,  JOHN.  Enrolled  Aug.  16,  1802;  transferred  to  Battery  B 
Aug.  12,  1864. 

GROSS,  JOHN  W.  Enrolled  March  12,  1862;  discharged  at  York- 
town,  Va.,  April  13,  1862. 

HAMPSTON,  JOHN.  Enrolled  March  16,  1864;  transferred  to  Battery 
B  Aug.  12,  1864;  captured  at  Reams's  Station,  Va.,  confined  at 
Military  Prison,  Richmond,  Va.,  Aug.  27,  1864;  sent  to  Salis 
bury,  N.  C.,  Oct.  9,  1864;  returned  to  battery  April  25,  1865, 
having  made  his  escape  from  rebel  prison  at  Greensborough, 
N.  C. 

HAMUS,  FREDERIC.     Enrolled  Oct.  17,  1862;   deserted,  date  not  shown. 

HARRISON,  JAMES  M.  Enrolled  Oct.  6,  1862;  transferred  to  Battery 
B  Aug.  12,  1864. 


APPENDIX  399 

HATHAWAY,  GEORGE.     Enrolled  Aug.  6,  1862;   wounded  in  shoulder  at 

battle    of    Gettysburg,    Pa.,    July    3,    1863;     borne    as    sick    and 

wounded    in  hospital    until  April,  1864;  transferred  to  Battery  B 

Aug.    12,    1864, 

HELLO.  CHARLES.     Enrolled  Oct.   17,   1862;    deserted,   date  not  given. 

HERMAN,  FREDERICK  G.  Enrolled  Oct.  14,  1862;  wounded  in  action  at 
Bristoe  Station,  Oct.  14,  1863;  transferred  to  Battery  B  Aug.  12, 
1864;  taken  prisoner  at  battle  of  Reams's  Station;  sent  to  Salis 
bury,  N.  C.,  where  he  died  of  disease  Nov.  4,  1864. 

HOYLE.  JOSEPH.  Enrolled  Feb.  24,  1864;  wounded  in  action  at 
battle  of  Wilderness  May,  1864;  sent  to  General  Hospital  and 
borne  as  wounded  until  transferred  to  Battery  B  Aug.  12,  1864; 
deserted  from  hospital  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  Nov.,  1864. 

HrxTKK,  WILLIAM  H.  Enrolled  Aug.  5,  1862;  promoted  to  corporal; 
transferred  to  Battery  B  Aug.  12,  1864. 

JERROLLMAX,  JAMES  F.  Bugler.  Enrolled  Aug.  29,  1862;  transferred 
to  Battery  B  Aug.  12,  1864. 

JOHNSTON.  GILBERT  C.  Enrolled  Aug.  18,  1862;  transferred  to  Battery 
B  Aug.  12,  1864. 

JOHNSTON.  ROBERT  L.  Enrolled  Aug.  16,  1862;  promoted  to  corporal; 
transferred  to  Battery  B  Aug.  12,  1864. 

JOY.  THOMAS  W.  Enrolled  Aug.  18,  1862;  discharged  for  disability 
at  Bolivar,  Va.,  Oct.  10,  1862. 

KEAN.  MICHAEL.  Enrolled  June  16,  1862;  transferred  to  Battery  B, 
probably  by  order  dated  Sept.  23,  1864. 

KEENE,  SETII  H.  Enrolled  Aug.  13,  1861;  promoted  to  corporal; 
sick  in  hospital  from  July,  1863,  and  so  borne  until  Sept.  11, 
1863,  when  transferred  to  48th  Co.,  2d  Battalion,  V.  R.  C.;  died 
in  Kalorama  Hospital,  Washington,  D.  C.,  March  23,  1864. 

KENNEY,  MICHAEL.  Enrolled  Aug.  13,  1861;  in  Government  Hos 
pital,  Newport  News,  from  Aug.,  1862,  and  borne  in  hospital 
until  Oct.,  1862;  re-enlisted  as  a  veteran  volunteer  Dec.  19, 
1863;  transferred  to  Battery  B  Aug.  12,  1864. 

KiNE,  JAMES.  Enrolled  April  18,  1864;  transferred  to  Battery  B 
Aug.  12,  1864. 

KNIGHT,  WILLIAM.  Enrolled  Aug.  13,  1861;  promoted  to  sergeant; 
mustered  out  Aug.  12,  1864,  near  Petersburg,  Va. 

LARKI.X.  PATRICK.  Enrolled  Aug.  6,  1862;  transferred  to  Battery  B 
Aug.  12,  1864. 

LAI-GIILIN.  ROBKKT.  Enrolled  March  18,  1862;  discharged  for  dis 
ability  Feb.  16,  1863. 

LAWRENCE.  CIIAIJLKS  A.  Enrolled  April  20,  1864;  killed  in  the  battle 
of  the  Wilderness,  May,  1864. 


400  BATTEKV    A,    FIRST    1J.     I.     LKJHT    A  If  TI  LLKK  Y 

MAKKKV.    MK-IIAKL.     Enrolled    Aug.    13,    1861;    wounded    at   battle   of 

Gettysburg,  July  3,  1863. 

MATKA.N.  JAMKS  H.     Enrolled  Aug.    13,   1861;    promoted  to  corporal; 
promoted     to    sergeant;     mustered    out    near    Petersburg,    Va., 
Aug.   12,   1864. 
MAX.    FKANK.     Enrolled   Oct.   16,   1862;    deserted,  time  and  place  not 

given. 

McDo.NAi.D.  OWK.X.  Enrolled  Aug.  6,  1862;  sick  in  hospital  from 
Oct.,  1862,  until  Aug.  20,  1863,  when  dropped  from  the  rolls  at 
Elkton,  Pa.;  again  taken  upon  the  rolls  Oct.  18,  1863;  trans 
ferred  to  Battery  B  Aug.  12,  1864. 

McNAMAKA.  THOMAS.  Enrolled  March  19,  1864;  transferred  to  Bat 
tery  B  Aug.  12,  1864;  captured  at  Wei  don  R.  R.,  Aug.  25,  1864; 
escaped  at  Columbia,  S.  C.,  Feb.  27,  1865;  reported  at  Camp 
Parole,  Md.,  March  28,  1865;  sent  to  Camp  Distribution.  Va.,. 
May  4,  1865;  mustered  out  .Tune  12,  1865. 

MILLKTT.    HK.XKY.      Enrolled    June    16,    1862;    in   hospital    at    Potomac 
Creek,    Va.,    from    April,    1863,    until    Aug.    19,    1863,    when    dis 
charged  for  disability  at  Convalescent  Camp,  Va. 
MOOKE,   JOHN.     Enrolled   Oct.   6,    1862;    deserted,    date   not  given. 
MOHRISSEY,  EDWARD.     Enrolled  Aug.  6,  1862;   wounded  in  action  near 
Gettysburg,   Pa.,    July   3,   1863;    borne   as   absent   wounded   until 
Jan.    5,    1864,    when    discharged    for    disability    at    Convalescent 
Camp,  Va. 
O'DONNKLL.    MICIIAKL.     Enrolled   Aug.    13,    18(51;    mustered   out   near 

Petersburg,  Va.,  Aug.  12,  1864. 

PARKKH.  THOMAS.  Enrolled  June  13,  1862;  borne  as  absent  wounded 
until  March  6,  1863,  when  discharged  for  disability  at  Newton 
University  Hospital,  Baltimore,  Md. 

PKCKJIAM,  ISRAEL.  Enrolled  Feb.  27,  1862;  wounded  and  borne  as 
absent  sick  in  II.  S.  General  Hospital  from  March,  1864;  trans 
ferred  to  Battery  B  Aug.  12,  1864. 

PHILLIPS,  FKA.XCIS  E.  Enrolled  Aug.  13,  1861;  promoted  corporal; 
wounded  at  battle  of  Antietam,  Sept.  17,  1862;  re-enlisted  as  a 
veteran  volunteer  Feb.  15,  1864;  transferred  to  Battery  B 
Aug.  12,  1864. 

PKESTOX,  HENRY  A.  Enrolled  Aug.  14,  1862;  borne  as  wounded  in 
General  Hospital  from  Sept.,  1862,  until  April,  1864;  trans 
ferred  to  Battery  B  Aug.  12,  i864. 

RII.KY.  CIIAKLKS  F.  Enrolled  March  19,  1862;  in  Government  Hos 
pital,  Newport  News,  from  Aug.,  1862,  until  Oct.,  1862:  trans 
ferred  to  Battery  B  Aug.  12,  i864;  captured  at  Reams's  Station. 
Aug.  25,  1864;  released  at  Varina,  Va.,  Oct.  8,  1864. 


401 

SAI.ISIU I:Y,  WILLIAM.  Enrolled  Sept.  8,  18G2;  died  of  disease  in 
Fairfax  Seminary  Hospital,  Oct.  14.  18G3. 

SciinoEDKK,  EDCJAI:.  Enrolled  Oct."  17,  1862;  deserted,  date  and  place 
not  given. 

SIIKRMAX,  SiiKFFiKi.i)  L.  Enrolled  March  24,  1862;  discharged  at 
Baltimore,  Aid.,  Dec.  20,  1862,  by  reason  of  gunshot  wound  re 
ceived  at  the  battle  of  Antietam,  Sept.  17,  1802. 

SIDDKKS,  Cn  VIM.KS.  Enrolled  March  7,  1864;  transferred  to  Battery 
B  Aug.  12,  1864. 

SLOCUM,  MOSES  F.  Enrolled  Feb.  12,  1862;  discharged  for  disability 
at  Falmouth,  Va.,  Feb.  3,  1863. 

SLOCT.M.  \VII.I.I.\M  H.  Enrolled  Aug.  13,  1861;  slightly  wounded 
and  sent  to  hospital  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  July  30,  1862;  dis 
charged  for  disability  there  July  24,  1863. 

SMITH.  CIIAUI.KS  E.  Enrolled  July  17,  1862;  promoted  corporal; 
transferred  to  Battery  B  Aug.  12,  1864;  promoted  sergeant  in 
that  battery. 

Sxow,  BYHO.N  D.  Enrolled  Aug.  13,  186i;  wounded  by  explosion  at 
Gettysburg,  Pa.,  July  3,  1863;  sent  to  hospital  and  borne  as 
absent  sick  until  May  21,  1864,  when  discharged  at  Lovell  Gen 
eral  Hospital,  Portsmouth  Grove,  R.  I.,  by  reason  of  wounds. 

STKKKK.  THOMAS  P.  Enrolled  Aug.  4.  1862:  in  hospital  at  Potomac 
Creek,  Va.,  April,  1863,  and  so  borne  until  June,  1863;  wounded 
at  Chesterfield  Bridge,  May,  1864;  borne  as  wounded  in  hospital 
from  May,  1864,  until  Aug.  12,  18(54,  when  he  was  transferred  to 
Battery  B. 

STONK,  ALMKNV.O  S.  Enrolled  March  7,  1864;  transferred  to  Battery 
B  Aug.  12,  1864. 

STONK,  EDWIN.  Enrolled  Aug.  15,  1862;  killed  at  battle  of  Antietam, 
Md.,  Sept.  17,  1862. 

SWKKT,  WILLIAM  K.  Enrolled  Aug.  13,  1861;  borne  as  wounded  in 
II.  S.  General  Hospital  from  June,  1864,  until  Aug.,  1864:  mus 
tered  out  at  Providence,  R.  I.,  Aug.  12,  1864. 

TAIIOK.  GKOU(,K.  Enrolled  April  12,  1864;  transferred  to  Battery 
B  Aug.  12,  1864. 

TAI.I.MAN,  W.  IRYIXC.  Enrolled  March  7,  1864;  transferred  to 
Battery  B  Aug.  12,  1864;  captured  at  Reams'  Station,  Va.,  Aug. 
:>."),  1864;  released  at  Varina,  Va.,  Sept.  24.  1864. 

Tiiou.vro.x.  JOHN  A.  Enrolled  Aug.  4,  1862;  sick  in  hospital  July, 
1863.  and  so  borne  when  transferred  to  Battery  B,  Aug.  12.  1864. 

TYSC.  JOHN  F.  Enrolled  Aug.  13,  1861;  promoted  corporal:  mus 
tered  out  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  Aug.  12,  1864. 


402  BATTERY    A,    FIRST    R.   I.    LIGHT    ARTILLERY 

VICKERY,  OTIS.  Enrolled  March  10,  1862;  transferred  to  Battery  B 
Aug.  12,  1864. 

WADE,  WILLIAM  H.  Enrolled  Aug.  16,  1862;  deserted  at  Frederick, 
Md.,  July  20,  1863. 

WAGNER,  WILLIAM.  Enrolled  Feb.  29,  1864;  sick  in  U.  S.  General 
Hospital  from  April,  1864,  until  Aug.  12,  1864,  when  he  was 
transferred  to  Battery  B. 

WALKER,  BENJAMIN  W.  Enrolled  Aug.  15,  1862;  in  U.  S.  General 
Hospital  from  Feb.,  1864,  and  borne  as  wounded  until  Aug.  3, 
1864;  transferred  to  Battery  B  Aug.  12,  1864;  captured  at 
Reams's  Station,  Aug.  25,  1864;  released  at  Varina,  Va.,  Oct. 
8,  1864;  reported  at  Camp  Parole,  Md.,  Oct.  9,  1864.  Also  borne 
as  BENJAMIN  A. 

WELLMAN,  HENRY  A.  Enrolled  Sept.  4,  1862;  transferred  to  Battery 
B  Aug.  12,  1864;  captured  at  Reams's  Station,  Aug.  25,  1864; 
released  at  Cox's  Wharf,  Camp  Parole,  Md.,  March  10,  1865. 

WIIITFORD,  JOHN  U.  Enrolled  Feb.  16,  1864;  severely  wounded  in 
action  at  Cold  Harbor,  June  3,  1864,  losing  right  arm;  discharged 
at  li.  S.  General  Hospital,  Sept.  26,  1864. 

WILBUR,  WILLIAM  B.  Enrolled  Aug.  3,  1864;  transferred  to  Battery 
B,  date  not  known. 

WILDER,  ABEL.  Enrolled  Aug.  13,  1861;  wounded  at  battle  of  An- 
tietam,  Md.,  Sept.  17,  1862;  sent  to  hospital,  and  borne  as  absent 
sick  until  June  26, 1863,  when  he  rejoined  the  battery;  re-enlisted 
as  a  veteran  volunteer  Feb.  9,  1864;  Feb.  and  March,  1864,  on 
furlough  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  reported  as  in  U.  S.  General  Hos 
pital  wounded,  and  so  borne  until  Aug.,  1864;  transferred  to 
Battery  B  Aug  12,  1864. 

WILSON.  HENRY.  Enrolled  Aug.  5,  1864;  transferred  to  Battery  F, 
date  not  given. 

WINSOR,  WILLIAM  W.  Enrolled  Aug.  8,  1862;  sick  in  hospital  July, 
1863,  and  so  borne  until  Oct.,  1863;  rejoined  battery  by  order 
dated  Dec.  10,  1863;  transferred  to  Battery  B  Aug.  12,  1864; 
captured  at  Reams's  Station,  Va.,  Aug.  25,  1864;  confined  in 
Military  Prison,  at  Richmond,  Va.;  sent  to  Salisbury,  N.  C., 
Oct.  9,  1864;  admitted  to  Prison  Hospital,  Salisbury,  N.  C.,  Feb. 
19,  1865;  died  of  disease  while  en  route  from  Salisbury  to  Rich 
mond,  Va.,  to  be  exchanged,  Feb.  22,  1865. 

WOKSLKY.  HIRAM.  Enrolled  Aug.  13,  1861;  discharged  for  disability 
at  Harrison's  Landing,  July  15,  1862. 

Of  these  ninety-five  recruits,  eighteen  deserted  before  they 
reached  the  battery,  and  six  were  transferred  to  other  batteries  of 
the  regiment,  making  a  total  that  finally  joined  the  battery  of 


403 

seventy-one.  Of  these  seventy-one,  four  were  killed,  sixteen 
wounded,  three  of  them  twice;  twelve  were  discharged  for  dis 
ability,  and  two  died  of  disease,  making  a  total  of  thirty-four.  Nine 
of  these  men  enrolled  in  August,  1861,  were  mustered  out  in  front 
of  Petersburg,  Va.,  Aug.  12,  1864,  leaving  twenty-eight  men  to  be 
transferred  to  Battery  B. 

During  the  term  of  service  of  Battery  A  it  had  one  officer  and 
seventeen  men  killed,  and  ninety  men  wounded.  Of  the  latter,  forty 
were  discharged  on  account  of  wounds;  fifteen  of  which  were 
original  members,  seventeen  recruits,  and  nine  attached  men.  Of 
the  men  discharged  for  disability,  thirty-three  were  original  mem- 
oers,  ten  recruits,  and  five  attached  men,  making  a  total  of  forty- 
eight.  Five  men  were  transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps, 
four  men  were  taken  prisoners,  two  of  whom  returned  to  the  bat 
tery,  and  two  were  discharged.  Of  the  seventeen  killed,  nine  be 
longed  to  the  original  battery,  four  were  recruits  and  three  were 
attached  men.  One  officer,  Lieut.  Peter  Hunt,  who  was  promoted  to 
our  battery  from  Battery  C,  was  killed  at  the  action  of  Totopotomoy 
or  Swift  Creek,  Va. 


404  I5ATTKRY    A,     FIIIST     K.     I.     LIGHT    ARTILLERY 


ATTACHED  MEN  FROM  THE  SECOND  RHODE  ISLAND  INFANTRY. 


ARNOLD.  Wi  M.I  A.M.  Co.  F.     Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.  Jan.  10,  1864. 

COKII,  Pun. ii',  Co.  E.  Wounded  at  Gettysburg;  re-enlisted  and  trans 
ferred  to  the  V.  R.  C. 

DEVEKEAI  x.  JAMES  E.,  Co.  F.  "Wounded  at  Bristoe  Station;  sick  in 
Lovell  General  Hospital.  Portsmouth  Grove,  R.  I.,  and  dis 
charged  therefrom  June  6,  1864. 

HAYDEX.  LKWIS  F.,  Co.  D.  Disciiarged  for  disability  at  Falmouth, 
Va.,  Jan.  1,  1863. 

Hn;<;i;xs,  JOHN,  Co.  K.  Died  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Gettys 
burg,  July  3,  1863. 

LEACH.  JOHN  F.,  Co.  K.  Wounded  at  Bristoe  Station;  returned  and 
mustered  out  with  battery  June  18,  1864. 

McC'oxxELL,  JOHN,  Co.  E.  Returned  with  battery  and  mustered  out 
June  18,  1864. 

PIEKC  E.  GEOKGE  S.,  Co.  G.  Returned  and  mustered  out  with  battery 
June  18,  1864. 

SEDMXGEK,  Si?>io;v  I\L,  Co.  G.  "Wounded  at  Glendale,  Va. ;  discharged 
from  General  Hospital  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  Oct.  15,  1862. 

S.xow.  HOHATIO  B.,  Co.  I.  Absent  sick  in  Rhode  Island,  June,  1862; 
mustered  out  with  battery  June  18,  1864. 

"Wir.cox,  JAMES  E.,  Co.  H.  Sick  in  Providence  Nov.,  1861,  and  so 
borne  until  March,  1862;  returned  and  mustered  out  with  bat 
tery  June  18,  1864. 

These  eleven  attached  men  from  the  Second  Rhode  Island  In 
fantry  came  to  the  battery  in  July,  1861,  immediately  after  the 
battle  of  Bull  Run.  During  the  three  years  we  had  thirty-nine 
from  different  regiments,  making  a  total  of  fifty.  In  June  and 
July,  1864,  there  were  forty-one  more  who  were  drawn  from  differ 
ent  regiments,  making  a  total  of  ninety-one  attached  men  during  its 
entire  term  of  service,  up  to  Sept.  23,  1864,  when  the  battery  was 
consolidated  with  Battery  B.  Of  the  eleven  attached  men  of  the 
Second  Rhode  Island  Infantry,  one  was  killed,  and  three  wounded 
and  transferred  to  the  V.  R.  C.;  two  were  discharged  for  disability, 
and  five  returned  with  the  battery  and  were  mustered  out  with  it 
June  18,  1864. 


40/i 


ATTACHED  MEN  SERVING   WITH   BATTERY  A   FROM   DIFFERENT 
REGIMENTS  OF  THE  SECOND  CORPS. 


BKI.XK.  Ai.HKin".  Co.  E,  126th  New  York  Infantry;  wounded  at 
Auburn,.  Oct.  14,  1863. 

BKOWX,  CHRISTIAN  IT.,  52d  New  York  Infantry;  sick  in  hospital, 
1863. 

BIR.XS,  EDWA];D.   April   11,   1864;    no  further  record. 

CASTLE,   HK.XRY.    i4th   Connecticut;    May   13,   1863. 

Ci.Ai'p,  HKXRY  II.,  15th  Mass.  Infantry;  returned  to  his  regiment 
July  12,  1864. 

COIU-RX.  OTIS.  15th  Mass.  Infantry;  returned  to  his  regiment  July 
12,  1864. 

Cor.K.MAX.  JOHN.  82(1  New  York  Infantry;  wounded  at  Cold  Harbor. 
June  5,  1864. 

CUKA.MKR,  SI.MI:<>.\.  12th  New  Jersey  Infantry;  killed  at  Gettysburg. 
July  3,  1863. 

*CHKKJIITO>-.    PHILIP.     No   record   as   to    what   regiment   he  belonged. 

DANIKLS,  JA.MKS,  15th  Massachusetts  Infantry;  returned  to  his  regi 
ment  July  12,  1864. 

Gii.i.i:o.  JOHN.  59th  New  York  Infantry;  no  date;  sick  in  hospital. 
1863. 

GLY.XX,  THOMAS,  15th  Mass.  Infantry;  returned  to  his  regiment 
July  12,  1864. 

HAYKS,  THOMAS,  15th  Mass.  Infantry;  returned  to  his  regiment 
July  12,  1864. 

HKALY,  PATRICK.  15th  Mass.  Infantry;  returned  to  his  regiment 
July  12,  1864. 

HOS.MKR.  JOI:L.  loth  Mass.  Infantry;  returned  to  his  regiment  July 
12,  1864. 

IUUJY.  JOHN.  15th  Mass.  Infantry;  returned  to  his  regiment  July 
12,  1864. 

KARXKS.  J'A.MKS.  28th  Mass.  Infantry;  returned  to  his  regiment  July 
17,  1864. 

McI.vriKK.  HFJIUKKT  D.,  15th  Mass.  Infantry;  returned  to  his  regi 
ment  July  15,  1864. 

McKAY,  DO-XAI.I).  name  of  regiment  not  given;  return  to  his  regi 
ment  April  18,  1864 

*  Sergt.  Stephen  M.  (Irccne  is  positive  that  lie  was  a  member  of  the  4'_'<l   New   York 
Tammany')  regiment. 


406  BATTEKV    A,    FIKST    U.    I.    LIGHT    AllTILLEKY 

MC-KENZIE,  MICHAEL,  15th  Mass.  Infantry;    returned  to  his  regiment 

July  12,  1864. 
MIDDLETOX,    EMERSOX,    name   of    regiment    not   known;    wounded    at 

Auburn  or  Bristoe  Station,  Oct.  14,  1863. 
MORRIS,  THOMAS,  12th  New  Jersey  Infantry. 
MULLAXEY,  CHARLES,  15th  Mass.  Infantry;    returned  to  his  regiment 

July  12.  1864. 
MURPHY,  OWEX,  28th  Mass.  Infantry;   returned  to  his  regiment  July 

17,  1864. 
OAKS.  OLIVER  S.,  15th  Mass.  Infantry;   promoted  corporal;    returned 

to  his  regiment  July  12,  1864. 
PRICE,  Joux,  name  of  regiment  not  given;   returned  to  his  regiment 

April  11,  1864. 
REYNOLDS,  STEKX,  59th  New  York  Infantry;  wounded  at  battle  of  the 

Wilderness,  May  5,  1864. 
SCHAMPAX,   Joux,   59th  New  York  Infantry;    wounded   in  action  at 

Auburn,  Oct.  14,  1863. 
SWETT,    Emvix,    Co.    K,    19th   Maine   Infantry;    wounded    at   Bristoe 

Station,  Oct.  14,  1863. 
STOPPLE,  CHARLES,  Co.  E,  52d  New  York  Infantry;    sick  in  hospital 

Oct.,  1863. 

SPARKS,  HEXKY.  name  of  regiment  not  given;    returned  to  his  regi 
ment  April  11,  1864. 
THORXTOX,  JOHN  G.,  15th  Mass.  Infantry;    returned  to  his  regiment 

July   12,  1864. 
VOGAL,  HEXKY,  24th  New  Jersey  Infantry;   returned  to  his  regiment 

June,  1863. 

WEST,  GEORGE  W.,  24th  New  Jersey  Infantry;    returned  to  his   regi 
ment  June,  1863. 
WILLEY,  LORIXG  W.,  Co.  A,  19th  Maine  Infantry;   killed  at  Po  River 

May  9,  1864. 

WIRTII,  WILLIAM,  name  of  regiment  not  given;   returned  to  his  regi 
ment  April  11,  1864. 
WOOLSTOX,  LEVI.  Co.  B,  24th  New  Jersey;    returned  to  his  regiment 

June,  1863. 
WRIGHT,   WILLIAM,'  name   of   regiment    not   given;    returned    to   his 

regiment  April  11,  1864. 
ZOBRIST,  Joux,  39th  New  York  Infantry;    returned  to  his  regiment 

Oct.,   1863. 

Of  these  thirty-nine  men  who  were  attached  to  Battery  A,  two 
were  killed,  six  wounded,  and  three  went  to  the  hospital  sick,  the 
remainder  returning  to  their  regiments  at  different  times  as  already 
stated.  Besides  these,  there  were  forty  men  attached  to  the  bat- 


APPENDIX  407 

tery  at  Cold  Harbor,  on  June  6,  7,  and  8,  after  the  term  of  service 
of  the  original  members  of  the  battery  had  expired.  Including  the 
eleven  attached  men  from  the  Second  Rhode  Island  Infantry,  in 
July,  1861,  Battery  A  had  during  its  service  ninety  attached  men 
to  assist  in  working  its  guns,  besides  ninety-five  recruits  from 
Rhode  Island.  Its  number  of  original  members  was  one  hundred 
and  fifty-six,  making  a  total  of  three  hundred  and  forty-one  men 
who  were  enlisted  or  attached,  a  number  of  the  recruits  having  de 
serted  before  reaching  the  battery,  and  some,  as  already  mentioned, 
were  sent  to  other  Rhode  Island  batteries. 


LIST  OF  KILLED  OF  BATTERY  A. 


Commissioned    Officer. 

Hr.\T,    PETEK,    Lieut.     Promoted    from    first   sergeant   of   Battery   C. 
Killed  at  Swift  or  Totopotomoy  Creek,  Va.,  May,  1864. 

Original  Members. 

Boi  RNE,    WILLIAM  E.     Killed  by  explosion  of  limber  chest  at  Wash 
ington,  D.  C.,  July  9,  1861. 

Bur.  FREDERIC.     Killed  at  battle  of  Bull  Run,  Va.,  July  21,  1861. 

GLADDING,  OLXKY  D.     Killed  at  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  21,  1861. 
1862. 

LANNEGAN,    PATRICK.     Killed    at   battle    of   Gettysburg,    Pa.,    July    3. 
1863. 

LAWRENCE,    JOHN    H.     Killed   at  battle   of  Antietam,    Md.,   Sept.    IT, 
1862. 

MORAN,  JOHN.     Killed  in  action  at  Bristoe  Station,  Va.,  Oct.  14,  1863. 

MORSE,   NATHAN   T.     Killed   by   explosion   of  limber  chest  at  Wash 
ington,  D.  C.,  July  9,  1861. 

REED,  CHARLES  M.,   Sergt.     Killed  at  battle  of  Antietam,  Md.,  Sept. 
17,  1862. 

ZI.MALA,  JOHN.     Killed  at  battle  of  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  July  3,   1863. 

Recruits. 

BOSWOKTII.  JOSEPH  T.     Killed  at  battle  of  Antietam,   Md.,   Sept.   17, 
1862. 


MATTERY    A,    FIRST    It.     I.     LHiHT    ARTILLERY 

CHURCH.  NOKRIS  L.     Killed  at  Swift  or  Totopotomoy  Creek,  Va.,  May 

31,  1864. 
LAWRENCE,    CHARLES    A.     Killed    at    battle    of    the    Wilderness,    Va., 

May,  1864. 
STONE,  EDWJN.     Killed  at  battle  of  Antietam.  Mil.,  Sept.  17,  1862. 


CREAMER,    SIMON   W.,   Co.    K,   12th   New   Jersey   Infantry.     Killed   at 

battle  of  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  July  3,  1863. 
HIGGINS,  JOHN,  Co.   K,   2d  Rhode  Island   Infantry.     Killed  at  battle 

of  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  July  3,  1863. 
WILLEY.   LOKVN<;    W.,   19th   Maine    Infantry.     Killed   at   battle    of    Po 

River,  May  10,  1864. 
CKEHSIITON.  PHILIP.     Killed  at  battle  of  Bristoe  Station,  Oct.  14,  1903. 

Total  killed,  eighteen,  one  officer*  and  seventeen  men.     Nine  orig 
inal  members,  four  recruits,  and  four  attached  men. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 


LOAN  DEPT. 

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on  the  date  to  which  renewed.         /  ±/  ^ 
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1-0  to 

'/    /x  -, 

U.  C.  BERKELEY 

11  3H9S7 

H@fe 

mn\/    1  ft    1Q^7 

NOV  10  w** 

LD  21-100m-6,'56 
(B9311slO)476 


General  Library 

University  of  California 

Berkeley 


M181959 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


